Mario Gotze looked rather sharp than he did so far this season. Quick neat passes, controlled runs, attracting defenders to find space for the other teammates helped Dortmund a lot creating chances in off the rigid Berlin defense. The East Berliners were not to be lied down, however, the center back duo of Roberto Puncec and Toni Leistner stayed firm. Not just the defense, though, Jens Keller’s side also managed to be a good link between the attack and the defense in order to raise their efficiency on the counter. The two wide attacking midfielders were often seen tracking back to help out the defense and carry the ball in case their team wins it and eventually start a counter attack.
As the game went on, Dortmund plowed players forward and just before the half-time, Dortmund found the lead albeit in a lucky manner. A loose touch from Felix Kroos in midfield and Union were dispossessed, Dortmund quickly moved the ball upfield and again, Mario Gotze tried to attract defenders in his way and successfully found Jacob Larsen on the right flank, who’s attempted shot was deflected off midfielder Parensen to roll into the back of the net. One would say, that Bruun-Larsen, after his impressive performance, more or less deserved the goal as he was a constant threat on the right channel, getting in between the defense and putting in dangerous crosses. Words of seldom indeed! However, the team overall didn’t deserve to get ahead.
In the second half, Dortmund started to cream in with more pressure as they switched their formation to opt for a three at the back formation. Lukasz Piszczek, the right back dropped in as the RCB while Larsen covered the entire right flank, same can be said for Felix Passlack on the left. The 18-year-old seemingly turning onto be a revelation after he was given his new role as a left back instead of his favoured right back position due to the injury of Marcel Schmelzer. He too was a threat all night long and along with putting up some dangerous crosses, Passlack managed to take on a few shots as well, which was not far away from the target.
/ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Everything was just fine for Die-Borussen until Steven Skrzybski came on for Simon Hedlund in the 80th minute and just after coming on, the visitors were awarded a corner, which was partly cleared by Dortmund. The loose ball fell to Skrzybski on the edge of the area as smashed home a volley right into the back of the net with the goalkeeper having no chance and Union got their deserved equalizer.
At the end, it was the fate of the penalties where Dortmund seemed to have the better luck but that takes nothing away from Roman Weidenfeller’s two excellent saves. Which will give the veteran goalkeeper some confidence after a horrendous return, conceding three goals against Ingolstadt last week.
