The Bundesliga’s much-anticipated return after a two-and-a-half week winter break saw Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund deliver a six-goal thriller at Deutsche Bank Park on January 9, 2026. As fans braved the chilly Frankfurt night or tuned in via BBC iPlayer, ESPN2, and other streaming services, these two Champions League hopefuls put on a spectacle that lived up to the pre-match hype and then some.
Both sides entered the contest with plenty to prove. Dortmund, sitting second in the Bundesliga with a 9-5-1 record, needed a statement performance to keep their slender hopes of catching runaway leaders Bayern Munich alive. For Frankfurt, the stakes were just as high. Seventh in the table with a 7-4-4 record and 25 points, the Eagles eyed a leap into the top five—and a move within striking distance of Bayer Leverkusen in third—if they could pull off a win.
But if there was one theme heading into this fixture, it was defense—or rather, the lack thereof. Frankfurt had conceded 30 goals in 15 matches, the league’s second-worst defensive record, a stat only outdone by the Bundesliga’s bottom two teams. Their attacking approach, built on a relentless high-energy press, often left them exposed at the back. Dortmund, by contrast, boasted the second-best defensive record in the league, yet their road form showed cracks: just two clean sheets in their last ten away matches, despite scoring in every one of them.
It was a classic stylistic clash: Frankfurt’s frenetic, attacking pace versus Dortmund’s structured, counter-attacking discipline. “The Eagles are unbeaten in their previous four home matches in the league (albeit against teams in the bottom half of the table),” noted Get German Football News ahead of the match. Adding to the intrigue, Frankfurt had not lost to Dortmund at home in the Bundesliga since October 2022, with many of those contests ending in draws—and goals galore.
Lineups reflected both clubs’ ambitions and challenges. Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller handed a debut start to Younes Ebnoutalib, the prolific striker freshly signed from Germany’s second division. Arnaud Kalimuendo, another winter addition, waited on the bench. The Eagles’ attack, however, was hampered by absences: Jonathan Burkardt (calf injury), Michy Batshuayi (foot injury), and Jean Bahoya (illness) were all unavailable. Ellyes Skhiri and Farès Chaïbi were away on international duty, while Kaua Santos replaced Michael Zetterer in goal. The starting XI featured Santos; Kristensen, Koch (captain), Theate; Doan, Larsson, Højlund, Brown; Uzun, Knauff; and Ebnoutalib.
Dortmund, under new boss Niko Kovac, looked to build on an unbeaten run of eight league matches. The only major fitness concern was goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who was doubtful due to illness but ultimately started between the posts. Aarón Anselmino missed out with a muscle injury, weakening the defense. Up front, Maximilian Beier started alongside the in-form Julian Brandt and Serhou Guirassy, with Karim Adeyemi dropping to the bench after a turbulent end to 2025. The Black and Yellow lined up with Kobel; Süle, Anton, Schlotterbeck (captain); Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; and Guirassy.
With the table set for fireworks, the match delivered from the opening whistle. Both teams came out swinging, and it didn’t take long for the goals to flow. Frankfurt’s aggressive press created early chances, and Ebnoutalib, eager to impress on debut, tested Kobel with a stinging shot that forced a smart save. Dortmund responded in kind, with Brandt orchestrating attacks and Guirassy threatening on the break.
It was the kind of end-to-end action that Bundesliga fans have come to expect from this fixture. “The history between these two clubs at Deutsche Bank Park strongly supports the case for goals. A remarkable nine of the last ten meetings in Frankfurt have seen both teams find the net. Those games have produced an average of 3.3 goals,” observed a pre-match betting analysis—and this encounter was no exception.
By halftime, the scoreboard already reflected the open nature of the contest. Both sides had found the net, showcasing the attacking talent on display and the defensive vulnerabilities that had plagued them all season. The second half picked up right where the first left off, with neither team content to settle for a draw.
As the minutes ticked by, tactical adjustments and substitutions added new wrinkles. Kalimuendo entered for Frankfurt, injecting fresh energy into the attack, while Dortmund shuffled their midfield to regain control. The home crowd roared as Frankfurt pressed for a winner, but Dortmund’s counterattacks remained a constant threat.
Late drama was almost inevitable. With the match seemingly slipping away, Dortmund mounted a final push in extra time. The Black and Yellow surged forward, and in a moment that encapsulated the spirit of this Bundesliga classic, they found the equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw. The visiting supporters erupted, while Frankfurt fans could only sigh at another missed opportunity to claim all three points.
“Six goals shared equally in the Bundesliga this evening. A great contest of these two sides with late drama seeing Dortmund secure the draw in extra time. A superb game to kick-off 2026 in the Bundesliga,” read one post-match summary, perfectly capturing the high-octane entertainment on offer.
The result leaves Dortmund still in second place, now with 35 points—six behind leaders Bayern Munich. Frankfurt, meanwhile, edges closer to the European places but remains outside the top five, their defensive frailties still a cause for concern. For both clubs, the draw is a reminder of the fine margins at play in Germany’s top flight and the unpredictability that makes the Bundesliga a fan favorite worldwide.
Looking ahead, the season remains wide open. Dortmund will try to build on their unbeaten streak and keep the pressure on at the top, while Frankfurt must shore up their defense if they hope to break into the Champions League spots. Next up, Hamburger SV faces Bayer Leverkusen as the Bundesliga’s action-packed calendar rolls on.
For fans and neutrals alike, the return of German football couldn’t have started with a better showcase. If this six-goal spectacle is any indication, 2026 promises plenty more drama, goals, and unforgettable moments in the Bundesliga.
