On December 21, 2024, Borussia Dortmund scored a convincing 3-1 victory against VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, achieving their first away win of the Bundesliga season. The match showcased Dortmund's attacking prowess, with Donyell Malen opening the scoring early, followed by goals from Maximilian Beier and Julian Brandt, solidifying their dominance within the first thirty minutes.
Dortmund managed to control the game from the onset, demonstrating their intent with significant ball possession (64%) and ten shots on goal. The visitors struck first when Malen connected with a corner taken by Ramy Bensebaini, scoring with precision to make it 1-0 after just 25 minutes. Just three minutes later, Beier found the back of the net following questionable defending from Wolfsburg, doubling the lead at 2-0. Another three minutes passed before Brandt added to the tally, finishing expertly from Beier's cut-back to put Dortmund firmly in the driver's seat at 3-0.
Despite Dortmund dictation play, Wolfsburg managed to create chances, with Gregor Kobel denying players like Lukas Nmecha early on. The hosts found some life post-halftime, and as the match progressed, they clawed one back with Denis Vavro heading home from Maxi Arnold's corner kick.
Following the goal, Dortmund faced adversity when Pascal Groß was shown red for taking down Nmecha, leaving his team with ten men for the final stretch. This marked a turning point, with Dortmund now needing to rely on strong defensive contributions and effective game management under pressure. Nuri Şahin, Dortmund's coach, made decisive adjustments to prevent Wolfsburg from capitalizing on their man advantage, transitioning his team to a 4-4-1 formation.
Despite being on the back foot for the latter stages of the match, Dortmund's defense stood resolute. Substitute Waldemar Anton displayed bravery, and Kobel's performance kept Wolfsburg's hopes at bay, highlighted by another impressive save against Arnold.
Wolfsburg pressed hard but could not find the equalizer, as Dortmund managed to absorb the pressure and maintain their lead until the final whistle, securing precious points to boost their league position to sixth with 25 points. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, languished in 11th place following the defeat, affecting their hopes for European qualification.
This victory is particularly significant for Dortmund as it marked their first away win after previously struggling throughout the season. Coach Şahin’s decision to give Malen, whose future at the club appears uncertain, another starting opportunity paid off. His impressive performance may have showcased why the striker has been rumored to leave Dortmund for greener pastures, potentially eyeing the Premier League.
The match reflects both clubs' contrasting fortunes this season. While Dortmund is now trending upwards following this victory and recent improvement on the road, Wolfsburg cannot seem to reconcile their inconsistent performances, having lost ground after their previous strong run.
