Pokal Match Recap: Dortmund show guts as they rally and win 2-1

Wow is your blood pumping after that one?

Borussia Dortmund has advanced from the first round of the DFB Pokal beating SpVgg Furth 2-1. The Dortmund goals were from Witsel and Reus. Overall the game was a tough one as BVB went down late, but two last minute goals at 90+5’ and 120’ gave us the much needed win to start the year.

The first half was quite boring. Dortmund had their fair share of chances but none could be converted. Dahoud and Reus played very well but the latter did not look great at the front spot. Diallo and Akanji really have proved themselves to be a great pair, they stopped almost all Furth challenges with ease despite our fullbacks playing awfully.

The second half was mostly more of the same. Furth really attacked Schmelzer who was awful all game. It really seems like Schmelzer should no longer be starting for BVB. If second tier Furth can identify and successfully attack him again and again we are in trouble. The Furth goal came off some spotty defense, something that Dortmund gave up plenty last year. to add to our woes Pulisic seemed to go off injured right after the Furth goal and was replaced by Sancho. The first miracle moment came from Axel Witsel who slotted it in in the very last minute of stoppage time at 90+5’. Funny enough Burki had the pre-assist for that one, just to show how last minute punt-y this chance was. Witsel is one of Dortmunds most prestigious signings ever, and today he already proved it.

ET was a back and forth affair, with Furth and BVB getting their chances. Furth did play quite dirty however and were lucky to escape without a red card. It looked to be clear we would go to pens as BVB was just holding out then Sancho and Reus cooked up a miracle. Sancho was able to escape down the side and slotted the perfect ball to Reus who scored easily. Sancho has so much talent and really created this perfect chance when there shouldn't have been. Furth had one more run in the end but it did not matter as BVB took the game 2-1.

For takeaways it can be tough to see much in the first game of the season. For one, Phillip and Reus really don’t seem like first choice guys at the forward position. We really need to buy a experienced striker who can finish all these beautiful chances our midfielders and wingers can cook up. The second takeaway is that Schmelzer really can’t start anymore. He was our main weakness and was torn apart by a lower tier 2.Bundesliga club. He is still a leader but definitely not the guy we can afford to have soaking up minutes during the season.

So what are your takeaways from the game?