Back to league action and hopefully back to a straightforward victory that gets them over their November malaise. Itt's a home tie vs newly promoted Heidenheim which should, should, be a pretty easy game. It's a pretty standard lineup with Xavi recovering from his shoulder injury in time to start here which looked impossible when he went off vs City.
Two quick fire goals in the game. First is a neat finish at the near post from Poulsen after excellent play by Raum. Heidenheim then get one back right on half-time from a corner.
Getting closer to transfer window time so little bit of a roundabout of where the club stands:
- Emil Forsberg will leave the club for NY Red Bulls and an attacking mid will be bought to replace for €15-20m max.
- Club had verbally agreed with Granada’s Bryan Zaragoza but he hesitated about a winter move so club pulled out (he’s signing for Bayern now).
- Timo Werner could move on loan/perm for more game time ahead of the Euros.
- Ilaix Moriba will be loaned/sold as he still has no future here.
- Club have sent a written offer in for a highly rated kid at Schalke whose name I could never say or spell.
Big, BIG game tonight in the Bundesliga after Bayern's slip up this afternoon. A win for either side brings them back within a few points of 2nd place (Leverkusen still way out in front). These games are usually action packed and Leipzig have done fairly good against Dortmund lately but it's an away game under the lights so think they might struggle here. Rose is switching to a back 3 for this one which has had mixed success in the big games but hopefully keeps them tighter at the back. Really need to start making the most of all the early chances the team usually makes. Would take a point!
Baffling passage of play there. A through ball puts Openda in a race with Hummels who hauls him down on the edge of the box. Originally it's given as a penalty and yellow to Hummels as they think he touched the ball. VAR intervene and it's now a red for Hummels who didn't touch the ball but only a free-kick as it wasn't on the line? I'm last but ah well, Dortmund down to 10 after 15 mins.
There we go, deserved lead has arrived. Simakan heads from a corner. They've already forced a few good saves. Just need to play patiently but quick and they have this game in the bag.