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Stuttgart
Bundesliga
Feb 20, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 
Dortmund logo

2-3

Klein (32' pen.), Niedermeier (91')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Aubameyang (25'), Gundogan (39'), Reus (89')

Live Commentary: Stuttgart 2-3 Borussia Dortmund - as it happened

Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Bundesliga clash between Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund.
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Borussia Dortmund continued their recent resurgence in the Bundesliga by claiming a 3-2 victory over bottom club Stuttgart.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ilkay Gundogan handed the visitors a 2-1 advantage at the break with goals either side of a penalty from Florian Klein.

Marco Reus found a crucial third goal late on before Georg Niedermeier headed home what proved to be only a consolation for Stuttgart.

Read below t0 find out how the action unfolded.


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Hello everyone! Thanks for joining Sports Mole as the Bundesliga weekend gets underway with Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund in southwest Germany. Two victories in a row have taken Dortmund out of the bottom three, and they would move up to 10th with another win. Can bottom club Stuttgart halt their progress?

There's a long way to go if Dortmund are going to get back to their best, but two successive wins for just the second time this season has boosted confidence around the club. A thrilling 4-2 win over Mainz 05 displayed some of the football we're used to seeing from Jurgen Klopp's side, and he'll be desperate to build on that performance tonight.

Stuttgart have lost their last two games, and are without a win in five Bundesliga matches. They need to return to form quickly to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. The pressure is on Huub Stevens to end the poor run of results tonight.

STUTTGART: Ulreich, Sakai, Schwaab, Baumgartl, Niedermeier, Klein, Hlousek, Gruezo, Serey Dié, Werner, Harnik

SUBS: Haggui, Leitner, Ibisevic, Romeu, Kostic, Kirschbaum, Lorenzo


Serey Die starts for the first time in midfield for Stuttgart following his deadline day move from Basel, while Timo Werner and Martin Harnik lead the line for the hosts. Vedad Ibisevic, Oriol Romeu and Filip Kostic are all named on the bench by Stevens.

DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Sokratis, Schmelzer, Sahin, Gündogan, Kampl, Kagawa, Reus, Aubameyang

SUBS: Langerak, Immobile, Mkhitaryan, Hummels, Blaszczykowski, Kirch, Ginter


Klopp has decided to name an unchanged side following last week's win over Mainz. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again leads the attack with support from Marco Reus, Shinji Kagawa and Kevin Kampl. Mats Hummels has recovered from a virus to return to the squad, but he is left on the bench. Kagawa may be looking to protect his captain ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Juventus.


Stuttgart will not move out of the bottom three with a victory tonight, but with the pressure on Stevens building, you do feel that this a huge match for the team. A positive result against Dortmund could be a turning point in their season. However, they head into the game without a win in nine Bundesliga matches against this opposition.


PREDICTION: Dortmund looked to be close to finding their best in attack last week, and with Reus and Aubameyang on form, Stuttgart could find it tough to keep out the visitors. I'll go for a 3-1 victory for Klopp's side.

Here we go then. The two players are out on the pitch at the Mercedez Benz Arena, and it will be Dortmund who get the game underway.

Dortmund are looking bright in the early stages, and the game is being played at a very high pace. Neither side have enjoyed an extended spell on the ball, though.

Harnik drops deep to get involved in a promising Stuttgart attack, but the moves comes to a disappointing end when his attempted through ball to Werner drifts out of play.

Excellent work from Dortmund as they move the ball across midfield quickly. Kampl earns some space on the wing before delivering a dangerous cross which is just too strong for Aubameyang.

Dortmund are starting to dominate possession, but Stuttgart are defending deep and their midfield are applying good pressure on the ball to make life difficult for the visitors. We've seen very little of Aubameyang early on. Kagawa picks up an early yellow card for landing a stray elbow on Hlousek.

SAVE! A mistake from Niedermeier gifts the ball to Aubameyang and he pulls back a cross which eventually reaches Kampl, whose powerful strike from the edge of the box is beaten away by Ulreich.

SAVE! Ulreich comes to the rescue again with a superb save to keep out Sahin's header after the midfielder had found the space to meet Piszczek's free kick.

Dortmund think they have broken the deadlock, but the flag is raised! Kagawa displays some clever footwork on the wing to force his way into the box. It looks like the chance has gone until a loose ball breaks to Gundogan, whose low effort is kept out by Ulreich. Aubameyang taps in the rebound, but he was in an offside position. Dortmund are looking very dangerous.

Stuttgart create their first half chance of the game as Klein brings the ball forward on the right before picking out Harnik, who is forced to lean back to send a difficult header over the crossbar.

Poor from Niedermeier once again as he invites pressure with a sloppy touch before gifting a throw-in to the visitors. As you'd expect, Dortmund are doing a lot of work without the ball. Stuttgart are struggling to retain possession.

Much better from the hosts. Die shows his power in midfield by evading a couple of challenges before playing a through ball to Werner, who is immediately stopped by Weidenfeller. Good goalkeeping, but it was offside anyway.

Stuttgart have improved and are refusing to sit quite as deep in midfield. However, it's Dortmund who continue to dominate possession, with Sahin and Gundogan dictating the tempo of the match.

GOAL! STUTTGART 0-1 DORTMUND (AUBAMEYANG)

Dortmund make the breakthrough! Reus leaves a couple of Stuttgart defenders behind him with a clever piece of skill on the edge of the box, and Kagawa takes over with a slightly lucky touch which sends the ball to Aubameyang, who finishes emphatically from 12 yards out.

Kampl and Reus fail to communicate effectively as a Dortmund attack breaks down. Reus is furious with his teammate after the mistake. Dortmund continue to look comfortable, and the goal had been coming. Suttgart can't afford to concede another goal before the break.

PENALTY! A Stuttgart corner causes problems as the ball bounces around in the six-yard box. Nidermeier looks set to convert from close range but he goes down under pressure from Sahin. If the referee believes there was contact, it should be a red card, but Sahin isn't even booked.

GOAL! STUTTGART 1-1 DORTMUND (KLEIN)

Klein makes no mistake from 12 yards as he rolls the ball into the bottom corner. Stuttgart are level, but they are unhappy that there was no punishment for Sahin.

Aubameyang continues to work off the last Stuttgart defender, and he times his run perfectly to collect a long ball before volleying over the crossbar. A goal before the break for either of these sides could be crucial.

Credit must go to Stuttgart. They've responded very well since falling behind, and are attacking in numbers hen they do break. However, Dortmund are gifted a chance when Niedermeier fouls Reus on the edge of the box.

It's the left-footed Schmelzer who wins the battle to take the free-kick, but Ulreich is untroubled as the ball curls a yard wide of the post.

GOAL! STUTTGART 1-2 DORTMUND (GUNDOGAN)

Dortmund regain the lead with a superb goal. Gundogan storms forward from midfield before combining with Kampl and Kagawa, whose clever back heel allows his teammate to fire a low effort past Ulreich. Stuttgart couldn't get near the midfielder. Is he back to his best?

The visitors are making Stuttgart work now as the home side are forced to chase shadows ahead of the half-time interval. It's not easy for Stuttgart, but they are still in this game.

Great work from Weidenfeller as he comes off his line to collect when Stuttgart send the ball into the box from a free kick. The Dortmund skipper is fouled in the process, but he looks fine.

HALF-TIME: STUTTGART 1-2 DORTMUND

An entertaining first half of football comes to an end at the Mercedes Benz Arena, and it's Dortmund who lead Stuttgart thanks to a couple of fine goals from Aubameyang and Gundogan. Stuttgart were level when Klein scored his penalty, but the decision by the referee to not send off Sahin for the foul on Niedermeier has frustrated the hosts.

Sahin will be feeling very fortunate at the break. There wasn't much contact with Niedermeier, but if the referee believes it was a penalty, there should have been a red card as the Stuttgart captain was ready to fire home from just a few yards. However, the Dortmund midfielder escaped without even a booking.

BENCH WATCH: Klopp has the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ciro Immobile and Matthias Ginter on the bench should he feel a change is needed, while it wouldn't be a surprise to see Huub Stevens turn to Ibisevic, who could help the hosts retain possession further up the pitch.

You can now read a full report of an eventful opening 45 minutes between these two sides. As it stands, Dortmund will be up to 10th before the rest of the Bundesliga return to action.

Both sides are back out on the pitch for the second half. Stuttgart will get the game back underway. Dortmund have made a change at the break, with Mkhitaryan replacing Kampl.

Harnik is a very lucky boy. He takes out Schmelzer with an elbow as the two players challenge for a header. It may not have been deliberate, but it should have been a booking.

CHANCE! Dortmund have the opportunity to extend their lead when Subotic finds the space to meet a corner with a firm header, but he can only send the ball over.

Possession is being shared evenly early in the second half, but Stuttgart are lacking a cutting edge in the final third. We've seen very little of Werner, Guezo and Hlousek, and that's a problem for the home side.

SAVE! Ulreich produces a crucial save to keep his side in the game. Stuttgart give the ball away in midfield and Reus leads the attack. He finds Aubameyang, who tees up Kagawa, but the Japanese midfielder's effort strikes the outstretched hand of Ulreich.

SUBSTITUTION: The ineffective Guezo is taken off as Moritz Leitner, who is on loan at Stuttgart from Dortmund, comes on for the hosts.

Hlousek does well to keep the ball in on the right wing, and he immediately delivers a deep cross to the back post. Harnik misreads the flight of the ball, and Piszczek clears the danger.

Reus is furious with the referee as he goes down after running into Die on the edge of the box. Die made no attempt to get out of the way, but Reus was looking for the free kick. Good decision from the referee.

Kagawa puts his side under pressure by losing the ball in midfield. Stuttgart look to take advantage quickly and Hlousek sprints clear of the Dortmund defence before sending a speculative half-volley wide of the target.

Dortmund look relaxed in possession, and they're controlling the tempo at the moment, but Klopp will certainly want another goal to secure the points. The visiting defence hasn't always looked solid, so this game is far from over.

It's all too easy for Dortmund. Stuttgart are struggling to apply any pressure on the ball, and they are relieved to see Reus stray into an offside position following an extended spell of patient passing from the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION: Kagawa finishes the night with two assists as he comes off to be replaced by Jakub Blaszczykowski.

What a waste from Stuttgart. Hlousek and Klein are at the heart of an excellent passing move as the hosts put the pressure on the Dortmund defence. However, a promising move comes to an end when Sakai follows a poor touch with a wild effort from the edge of the box.

SUBSTITUTION: Hlousek's night is over as he makes way for Ibisevic, who has still not scored a league goal this season. Can he find an equaliser on his 200th appearance in the Bundesliga?

YELLOW CARD: Piszczek goes into the book for pulling down Klein as Stuttgart looked to get onto the front foot once again.

SAVE! There's a lot more space to work in midfield now, and Sahin uses the room on offer to unleash a powerful strike from 25 yards. Ulreich reacts well to push the ball wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Stevens makes another change as the attack-minded Kostic comes on to replace Schwaab.

CHANCE! Mkhitaryan has struggled to deliver his best on a regular basis since moving to Dortmund, and he frustrates the visiting supporters by ignoring Immobile on the right side of the box to pick out Reus, who is standing in an offside position. Dortmund had a four-on-three situation there. They should have taken advantage.

Oh my word. He's done it again! Mkhitaryan leads the break, and the obvious pass looks to be the one to Aubameyang. However, he attempts a reverse ball to Reus, who is once again offside as he rolls the ball across for Aubameyang, whose goal is rule out.

YELLOW CARD! Die has battled impressively on his first start for Stuttgart, but he goes a step too far with a dangerous tackle on Gundogan. He caught the midfielder on the ankle. Luckily, Gundogan gets back to his feet quickly.

Strange scenes late on at the Mercedes Benz Arena. A man runs onto the pitch from the sideline and appears to say a few words to the Dortmund players. There's no security to stop him, and he calmly jogs off a few moments later. Bizarre.

GOAL! STUTTGART 1-3 DORTMUND (REUS)

It's all over as Dortmund's pressing game kills off the Stuttgart challenge. Baumgartl is at fault as his weak back pass plays in Reus, who takes the ball past Ulreich before slotting the ball into an empty net.

GOAL! STUTTGART 2-3 DORTMUND (NIEDERMEIER)

Stuttgart pull one back in the first of three added minutes! A corner is flicked on by Ibisevic and Niedermerier is all alone in the box to head home. Can they create one final chance?

It's desperate stuff from the hosts. Weidenfeller sprints off his line to collect a long ball forward under pressure from Ibisevic. There's just a few seconds remaining.

FULL TIME: STUTTGART 2-3 DORTMUND

Are Dortmund back? Klopp's side win a third successive Bundesliga match and they're now up to 10th in the table as they look to save what they can from a difficult campaign. It's more bad news for Stuttgart, who remain bottom after a sixth match without a win. That's all from our live coverage tonight. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight.

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Dortmund's midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and FC Koln's Slovak midfielder Dusan Svento vie for the ball during the German First division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund on October 18, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen26224066184870
2Bayern MunichBayern26193478314760
3Stuttgart26182660312956
4Borussia DortmundDortmund26148453322150
5RB Leipzig26154760322849
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt26101064235740
7Augsburg269894342135
8Hoffenheim2696114450-633
9Freiburg2696113648-1233
10Werder Bremen2686123541-630
11Heidenheim2678113544-929
12Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach26610104650-428
13Union BerlinUnion Berlin2684142542-1728
14Wolfsburg2667133144-1325
15VfL BochumVfL Bochum26510113054-2425
16Mainz 05Mainz26310132246-2419
17FC Koln2639142047-2718
18SV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt2627172665-3913


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