In a much-needed comeback, Borussia Dortmund ended their two-game losing streak in the Bundesliga, securing a 3-1 victory over Mainz on Sunday. The win comes at an opportune time as the team prepares for a significant challenge against Barcelona in the Champions League on April 9.
The opening goal came from Maximilian Beier, assisted skillfully by Karim Adeyemi, breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute. Shortly after, Emre Can extended Dortmund’s lead with a header from a corner delivered by Nico Schlotterbeck. Mainz’s defense struggled to regain momentum as Dortmund dominated the first half of the match.
In the 71st minute, Robin Zentner thwarted a one-on-one chance for Adeyemi, yet Beier was quick to capitalize on the resulting corner, securing his second goal of the game. This marked the 22-year-old’s inaugural double since joining Dortmund from Hoffenheim earlier this season. Despite a late goal from Paul Nebel narrowing the gap, Dortmund remained steadfast, fending off any attempts from Mainz to alter the match’s outcome.
Currently, Niko Kova?’s team finds itself midtable, trailing seven points behind fourth-placed Mainz in the chase for Champions League qualification. With only seven rounds left, Dortmund sets its sights on their next Bundesliga fixture against Freiburg, followed by the critical Champions League quarterfinals.
Elsewhere, Union Berlin managed to create some breathing room from the relegation zone with a vital 2-1 victory over Freiburg, enhancing their survival prospects. This defeat for Freiburg halts their seven-match unbeaten streak, stalling their ambitions to close in on the Champions League qualification slots. They remain three points adrift from Mainz.
Union, showing resilience, staged a comeback after Lucas Höler put Freiburg ahead in the 29th minute, thanks to Vincenzo Grifo’s precise cross. Union responded promptly with Rani Khedira sending a low shot past the defense into the net. Maintaining pressure, Union claimed the lead when Andrej Ili? scored what would be the winning goal with a well-placed header courtesy of Tim Skarke’s assist.
The match’s intensity saw Freiburg’s keeper, Noah Atubolu, exit injured in the 58th minute, complicating his team’s defense strategies. Union’s goalkeeper, Frederik Rönnow, played a crucial role, ensuring Union’s triumph by blocking a potential equalizer from Grifo.