Julian Brandt set Dortmund on their way with his fourth Bundesliga goal of the season. Photo: AFP
DORTMUND:
Goals from Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier lifted Borussia Dortmund to a nervy 2-0 home win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday and into second place in the Bundesliga table.
Brandt’s early strike put Dortmund in front but the hosts, who have dropped several points from the places they have won this season, once again struggled to take the lead.
Gladbach teenage midfielder Vael Moya forced a reflex save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel with 10 minutes remaining before Bayer sealed victory deep into stoppage time.
“It was nice to score a goal of our own late on this time and not concede an equaliser,” Bradt told Sky Germany.
“A lot of games ended in draws, so it was extremely important for us to win.”
The win moved Dortmund six points behind leaders Bayern Munich and three behind third-placed RB Leipzig, who can move back into second with a home win against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovacs praised his side, saying: “We had a bit of a summer break because of the Club World Cup, but we came out of it well.
“Of course we would like to have a few more points, but I think the team is fighting hard.”
Dortmund came into the match having won 18 of their last 19 home meetings with Gladbach.
Former Dortmund midfielder and United States international Gio Reina returned to the Westfalenstadion for the first time since joining Gladbach in the summer.
Making just his second league start of the season, defender Niklas Suele set up Dortmund’s first goal, drifting in a cross for Brandt to volley inside 10 minutes.
The goal was Brandt’s fourth in his last three games.
Often criticized for his fitness and professional ability, Suele was then on the spot to snuff out a Florian Neuhaus shot with a superb challenge late in the first half.
Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, with just one goal in his last 10 league games, looked to have broken when he had the ball in the net just after the break but it was offside.
Having made his senior debut last week, Gladbach’s 16-year-old midfielder Moya almost equalized soon after coming on, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Kobel.
In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Beier — who had missed a golden chance minutes earlier — was set up by fellow substitute Fabio Silva, tapping home from close range to wrap up the game for the hosts.
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