Borussia Dortmund kept up the pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich ahead of Tuesday’s clash between the two with a hard-fought victory at Wolfsburg.
The visitors were largely the better side throughout, controlling possession and probing for openings against an opponent set up to defend and hit on the break.
It was from such a patient move that Raphael Guerreiro gave them the lead with his eighth goal of the season, slotted in from close range after Erling Braut Haaland had failed to convert.
Jadon Sancho, who has been struggling with a groin strain, again started on the bench but came on to set up the second goal, scored via a low drilled finish by Achraf Hakimi.
Shortly after, a VAR review led to home player Felix Klaus being shown a straight red for a high tackle on Manuel Akanji, that caught the Dortmund player on the calf.
Dortmund’s win means they are now a point behind Bayern but the reigning champions can increase this to four again with victory over Eintracht Frankfurt later on Saturday.
There will be some concern for Dortmund, though, ahead of Tuesday’s game, with defender Matts Hummels leaving the field at half-time with a heel problem.
Guile and grit from Dortmund
It is now two wins from two for Dortmund since German top-flight football returned, with this victory following the impressive one achieved over Schalke last Saturday.
Once again, though, it made for eerie watching, with no fans in attendance and every shout from players and support staff audible.
And strict hygiene protocols remain firmly in place, meaning – amongst other measures – warm-ups were staggered, while coaching staff and substitutes wore masks and were all separated by two metres as they took their place on the sidelines.
In general, though, it appeared to be another success as Germany lead the way for Europe’s top leagues to follow in staging football during the ongoing pandemic.
The away side were noticeably superior in the first half and could easily have led by more had Thorgan Hazard been able to steer his first-time effort from the edge of the box on target instead of wide.
Wolfsburg came out fighting in the second half, though, and should have been level soon after the break.
However, Renato Steffen could only hit the top of the bar with his shot after being put through on goal by Wout Weghorst.
Sancho’s introduction injected more life into the visitors and his typical driving run and pass set up Hakimi to all but seal the win before Klaus’s technology-assisted dismissal.
Line-ups
Wolfsburg
Substitutes
B Dortmund
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, VfL Wolfsburg 0, Borussia Dortmund 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, VfL Wolfsburg 0, Borussia Dortmund 2.
Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Manuel Akanji.
Corner, VfL Wolfsburg. Conceded by Lukasz Piszczek.
Booking
Xaver Schlager (VfL Wolfsburg) is shown the yellow card.
Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Joao Victor (VfL Wolfsburg).
Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Joao Victor (VfL Wolfsburg).
Booking
Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg).
Substitution
Substitution, VfL Wolfsburg. Joao Victor replaces Admir Mehmedi.
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Marcel Schmelzer replaces Raphael Guerreiro.
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Leonardo Balerdi replaces Thomas Delaney.
Dismissal
Felix Klaus (VfL Wolfsburg) is shown the red card.
VAR Decision: Card upgraded Felix Klaus (VfL Wolfsburg).
Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Felix Klaus (VfL Wolfsburg).
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Giovanni Reyna replaces Thorgan Hazard.
Goal!
Goal! VfL Wolfsburg 0, Borussia Dortmund 2. Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jadon Sancho following a fast break.
Attempt missed. John Brooks (VfL Wolfsburg) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.
Booking
Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund).
Kevin Mbabu (VfL Wolfsburg) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Marin Pongracic.
Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Felix Klaus.
Attempt blocked. Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Erling Haaland.
Foul by Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund).
Kevin Mbabu (VfL Wolfsburg) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
John Brooks (VfL Wolfsburg) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by John Brooks (VfL Wolfsburg).
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Jadon Sancho replaces Julian Brandt.
Substitution
Substitution, VfL Wolfsburg. Felix Klaus replaces Jérôme Roussillon.
Substitution
Substitution, VfL Wolfsburg. Josip Brekalo replaces Daniel Ginczek.
Attempt blocked. Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Renato Steffen.
Attempt saved. Renato Steffen (VfL Wolfsburg) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Foul by Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund).
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