Borussia Dortmund’s inconsistent Bundesliga season continued with a 1-0 home defeat to Augsburg on Saturday, further jeopardizing their chances of securing a Champions League qualification spot. The loss leaves Dortmund in 10th place with 35 points, with their form raising concerns ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Lille.
Augsburg took the lead in the 23rd minute against the run of play. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw headed home, capitalizing on Dortmund’s defensive lapse during their first chance of the game.
Dortmund thought they had equalized when Julian Brandt tapped in at the far post following a Nico Schlotterbeck header, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR review.
Despite dominating possession and winning nine corners in the first half, Dortmund struggled to convert their control into clear-cut scoring opportunities. Their recent league form has been poor, with only three wins in their last 10 matches.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, who took over last month, expressed his disappointment with the performance: “We played a really bad game. We did not create chances, no intensity no aggression. So in the end we got back what we showed which is nothing.”
Kovac, however, remained optimistic about a turnaround before Wednesday’s Champions League match against Lille, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. “Today is Saturday and until Wednesday a lot can happen in the life of a person and a team,” he said. “I don’t want to paint everything black. The positive thing is we have four days to rest and to deliver a better performance.”
The defeat highlights Dortmund’s inconsistency and their struggle to convert dominance into goals. Their 10th-place position puts them at serious risk of missing out on Champions League qualification, with the top four teams in the Bundesliga earning a spot in the prestigious competition.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.