Three Observations: Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund

It’s only been a few days into the Edin Terzić era and things have already picked up to a fever pitch in Dortmund fandom. Some have hailed Edin’s first match against Werder as the return of BVB’s glory days while far more realistic observers saw some changes, but nothing to suggest Dortmund have massively improved. It’s going to be some time before this squad plays the way Edin intends, and a difficult road match against Union Berlin wasn’t going to make things any easier. Unfortunately, Youssoufa Moukoko’s spectacular first Bundesliga goal wasn’t enough to mask a match lost on silly mistakes. Here are three takeaways.

Youssoufa Moukoko Scored A Goal!

Moukoko was, at this point, overdue. He has had oodles of chances to put one past opposing keepers, but his sense of timing just hasn’t been there. All the signs were pointing to that first goal arriving, though, including a struck post against Union. After barely missing another well-placed cross into the box, Moukoko seized upon a great ball from Guerreiro and blistered a shot over Luthe’s shoulder. It was an important game-tying goal that suddenly shifted the momentum in Dortmund’s favor.

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Defensive Mistakes on Set-Pieces Killed Dortmund....Again

Unfortunately, Moukoko’s brilliant strike was marred by two massive mistakes on corners. On the first, Gio Reyna’s man broke the flimsy coverage and burned the young American to knock it past a helpless Roman Bürki. The second mistake saw Marvin Friedrich, completely unmarked, hit the ball off of his noggin and into the net. It was an embarrassing error, and one that has stung Dortmund multiple times over the past few weeks. This team had been doing well against set-pieces prior to the match against Köln. Suddenly, Dortmund look all too vulnerable on corners and are bleeding points at an alarming rate.

Terzić has a Difficult, Difficult Task Ahead.

Without Erling Haaland, Dortmund has struggled to score goals of any kind. His lethal finishing and prolific pace strike fear into backlines the world over. Haaland’s absence has revealed the lack of finishing ability and sputtering creativity up front. Thorgan Hazard being sidelined has only added to the pressure bearing down on Reus, Moukoko, and Sancho. All three forwards tried very hard to make things happen against Union, but with supremely mixed results. Sancho in particular is in his own head, and desperately needs a goal to lift the immense weight on his shoulders. I’m not sure how Edin plans to get this team going again, but until Haaland returns, the task remains immense.

Photo by Annegret Hilse - Pool/Getty Images

Your Thoughts

Let me know what you gathered from the match in the comments below!