Raphael Guerreiro in action. © Tom Weller/dpa
Borussia Dortmund took advantage of FC Bayern's mistake and went into the last Bundesliga matchday as favourites for the league title. In Augsburg, BVB struggled for a long time - then Haller scored twice.
Augsburg - Borussia Dortmund have taken advantage of FC Bayern's big mistake and go into the final matchday of the Bundesliga as the league leaders with a two-point lead over the Munich team. One day after the 1-3 defeat of the German football record champions against Leipzig, BVB won 50-3 (0-0) at relegation-threatened FC Augsburg after a good 0 minutes on Sunday and can hope for the first league title since 2012 after ten years of Bayern dominance. Sébastien Haller (58th and 84th minute) and Julian Brandt (90+3) scored the redeeming goals for BVB.
With a home win against Mainz on Saturday, the Borussians can make the ninth German championship in the club's history perfect. The Munich team will then play in Cologne. Augsburg must continue to tremble for relegation. The lead over the relegation place is two points.
In terms of atmosphere, the BVB fans who had travelled with them had the Augsburg Arena, which was sold out with 30,660 people, firmly in black and yellow hands. "Only BVB will be German champions," echoed unmistakably from the visitors' block in the opening minutes and shortly before the end. The goosebumps atmosphere had an effect on Dortmund, who pushed FCA far into their own half even without their midfield driver Jude Bellingham, who was injured at the knee.
Worth seeing, the Borussians combined again and again via Karim Adeyemi through the holey midfield of the home side. Only at the end of the game did Edin Terzic's team initially act too imprecisely. Haller (20') and Julian Brandt (28'/33') were both denied by FCA keeper Tomas Koubek, who was once again in a strong mood. The Czech once again recommended himself for a regular place for the time after Rafal Gikiewicz, whose contract will not be extended.
Just as Augsburg were gradually freeing themselves from the constant pressure of Dortmund, Enrico Maaßen's team punished itself. Felix Uduokhai (38') was shown the red card after an emergency brake on Donyell Malen. A tough but quite justifiable decision. The ensuing free-kick was headed against the post by national player Niklas Süle.
The goal-scoring statistics clearly spoke for Dortmund with 16:1 in the first half. But the guests were initially unable to crack the defensive bar of the passionately defending Augsburgers. FC Bayern's hopes of winning the eleventh championship in a row were growing again at this point.
After the break, BVB besieged the Augsburg penalty area every minute. The hosts initially played for a draw and dropped far back into their own half. Raphael Guerreiro (52'), who had moved into the starting line-up for Bellingham, missed a long-range shot. Emre Can only hit the inside post.
BVB keeper Gregor Kobel enjoyed a quiet evening in Augsburg for long stretches. When Haller scored after a blatant defensive error by Maximilian Bauer to give the team the lead, emotions also burst out of the Swiss. The black and yellow party in the guest block really started.
Maaßen reacted and brought in two strikers in Mergim Berisha and Irvin Cardona. Both significantly enlivened Augsburg's offensive game. Cardona had the best chance for the Fuggerstadt team in the 63rd, but failed to score against Kobel. Suddenly, Dortmund defended and FCA started again and again. Too late. BVB not only brought the result over time, but also made it clear in the end - and have a hand on the championship trophy. Dpa