Bundesliga 2024-25: Stoeger’s equaliser holds Dortmund to 1-1 draw at against Gladbach
Bundesliga 2024-25: Stoeger’s equaliser holds Dortmund to 1-1 draw at against Gladbach
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens fired in a superb goal after a solo effort but his team could not get past a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday and remain without an away win this season.
It was the Ruhr valley club’s second consecutive league draw after last week’s 1-1 stalemate against Bayern Munich and coming four days before next week’s Champions League home game against Barcelona.
It also had defender Niklas Suele and forward Maximilian Beier taken off injured in the second half with the former just back from injury.
Dortmund has been plagued by injuries throughout the season with 10 players missing at one stage.
“It is frustrating that we did not kill off the game, that we did not score a second goal,” said Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin. “It hurts and is maybe more frustrating than the away defeats before. But we will learn from this.”
As for the latest injuries, Sahin said the pair was doubtful for the game against Barcelona.
“This is like a bad joke to be honest,” he said. “I don’t know if I have done something wrong to have that many injures. Obviously after having taken them off today they are doubtful for Wednesday.”
Dortmund, which has lost four and drawn two of their six away games, is fifth on 21 points, 12 behind leader Bayern Munich, which beat Heidenheim 4-2.
Gladbach, which was reduced to 10 men after substitute Tomas Cvancara was sent off late on, is 11th on 18 points.
In-form Gittens, who has now scored for a fourth straight game across all competitions, shook off two markers, cut into the box and drove in his shot off the post for a 64th minute lead with his fifth league goal.
Gladbach levelled in the 71st with a well-taken Kevin Stoeger penalty following a lengthy VAR review.
The hosts almost grabbed the winner in the 81st but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel tipped Robin Hack’s shot onto the crossbar.
It was, however, left with 10 men in stoppage time after Cvancara’s two yellow cards in two minutes after coming on in the 89th minute.
