Borussia Dortmund secured their first Bundesliga away win of the season with a convincing 3-1 victory against Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, concluding 2024 on a high note. The win marks a significant step for Dortmund, who previously struggled away from home, having earned only two points from their first six matches on the road.
The scoring commenced at the 25-minute mark when Donyell Malen netted the opener with an impressive volley following a well-taken corner by Ramy Bensebaini. Just three minutes later, Maximilian Beier doubled Dortmund's advantage, finishing clinically after receiving a superb through ball from Julian Brandt. This early dominance culminated with Brandt scoring himself at the half-hour mark, slotting home from the edge of the box after Beier set him up.
These three goals within six minutes left Wolfsburg reeling, but they responded with resilience after the halftime break. Wolfsburg’s Denis Vavro brought his team back to life by scoring from a corner just thirteen minutes after the restart, giving the home fans hope for a comeback.
The match took another turn when Dortmund was reduced to ten men after Pascal Gross received a straight red card for bringing down substitute Lukas Nmecha. This moment intensified the pressure on Dortmund, who had to defend stoutly against the resurgent Wolves. Despite Wolfsburg's attempts, including threatening efforts from Mohamed Amoura, they couldn't penetrate Dortmund's defense again.
Nuri Sahin's side managed to hold on for the victory, moving up to sixth place in the Bundesliga, now just two points shy of the coveted top four. This match serves to bolster their confidence as they prepare to face defending champions Bayer Leverkusen when the Bundesliga resumes on January 10, 2024.
Maximilian Beier was lauded as the Player of the Match for his impactful performance, contributing both as a scorer and provider. His goal and assist showcased his potential and significance to Dortmund’s attacking strategy. Reflecting on the match, Beier stated, “It feels good. We played a great first half. We were very efficient. We wanted to continue but it didn't work out. But we won,” highlighting both satisfaction and the desire for improvement as the season progresses.
Overall, this result not only lifts Dortmund’s spirits as they end the year but also sets the stage for what they hope will be continued success as they look to challenge for higher placements within the league.
