It’s been quite a week in Dortmund. BVB’s new head coach Edin Terzic guided his team to victory over Werder Bremen in his first outing as boss on Tuesday night, and then he blooded 16-year-old in a tough match away to Union Berlin.
Then, the Cameroon born German striker became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score when he fired home an equaliser on the hour, only to see Marvin Friedrich hit back to win the game for Berlin.
Elsewhere, FC Bayern hit the summit of the league after the top two clashed in the 6:30 (local time) kick-off. Robert Lewandowski scored a late goal to see off Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Leipzig failed to beat lowly Cologne and Schalke were plunged deeper into trouble when they lost at home to Bielefeld.
BVB are looking forward
The Signal Iduna Park has nurtured some of the finest talent in European football over the past few seasons. US superstar Christian Pulisic and England winger Jadon Sancho have had the Yellow Wall rocking in recent times.
While packed stadiums are still a while away, the Dortmund faithful have plenty to look forward to, but they may have to be patient.
There’s reason to be cheerful though as Moukoko’s strike, in his sixth league appearance at the age of just 16 years and 28 days, made him the youngest top-flight German soccer history by a year. We’ll be watching this young man closely here at SBOTOP, as will scouts from the elite clubs throughout Europe.
BVB are beginning a new era under Terzic and he started well against Werder. Despite sitting in fourth place, following three defeats in six games the latest Bundesliga 2020 betting odds still reckon Dortmund are second favourites to lift the title after FC Bayern, but they need to find a winning formula soon, or this young side will have to wait.
Bayern assert authority in top two clash
Bayer Leverkusen started the game on top of the league courtesy of a better goal difference ahead of FC Bayern. Patrik Schick gave them an early lead, but Robert Lewandowski equalised before the break.
It looked like the game was heading for a draw but, deep into injury time, Lewandowski scored again to take Die Bayern three points clear.
The loss of Kai Havertz to Chelsea hasn’t seemed to damage Bayer’s prospects as they entered the game with five wins and a draw over the past six games and, despite this loss, they look a good bet for a top-four place.
Red Bull’s missed chance
Of all this weekend’s Bundesliga 2020 results, the big surprise came in Leipzig where the Red Bulls were held to a goalless draw by 15th placed Cologne.
It’s not that Die Roten Bullen didn’t have the chances to win — they had 63 per cent possession and 19 shots to four, with six to one on target — but they could not get past their visitors’ last line of defence.
Cologne keeper Timo Horn put in a captain’s performance to make six good saves and two particularly outstanding ones. He made a superb stop down to his right to keep out a first half effort from Angelino, then late in the game he denied Willi Orban who’s close range header was destined for the bottom corner.
Now 27, Horn rejected Liverpool at the age of 15, he’s Cologne born and bred and he’ll do everything in his power to keep them in the top flight. If he carries on in this form they’ll be just fine.
Schalke in big trouble
With only four points on the board from 12 games and sitting rock bottom, FC Schalke 04 had a great chance to improve their situation with a home six-pointer against new boys Arminia Bielefeld, themselves in peril in 16th place.
But when Fabian Klos headed home a Nathan de Medina cross, Bielefeld took the initiative and their toothless hosts had no reply.
Schalke 04 are now seven points from safety and in danger of being cut off, while Bielefeld have given themselves a chance to climb the table and are now just a point from safety.
Monchengladbach self–combust
Borussia Monchengladbach have been disappointed in recent weeks by their inability to turn draws into wins, picking up four draws and just one victory in the last five. It was all looking quite rosy against Hoffenheim, who came into the game with back-to-back defeats, when Die Fohlen went into half-time with a lead thanks to a Lars Stindl goal.
But when Andrej Kramaric scored a 75th minute equaliser it all went pear-shaped for Borussia. Marcus Thuram, shortly after coming close to restoring his team’s lead with a powerful low shot on 77 minutes, was sent off two minutes later.
Ryan Sessegnon compounded Die Fohlen’s frustration when he fired home the winner for Hoffenheim with a fierce shot from close range into the top left corner.
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