Borussia Dortmund returned to domestic action this afternoon, as they looked to extend their 100% start in the Bundesliga against Nuremberg.
Jurgen Klopp made four changes at the Grundig-Stadion and his side struggled early on, but took the lead when Marcel Schmelzer found the top corner with a wonderful free kick.
Nuremberg kept pressing forward and responded early in the second half through Swedish defender Per Nilsson, who bundled home from close range to earn the hosts a deserved point.
Look back at a thoroughly entertaining draw from the Bundesliga with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Afternoon Bundesliga fans. Round six from the German top flight begins today with an intriguing clash between Nuremberg and Borussia Dortmund, with both sides under pressure to get a result at the Grundig-Stadion for very different reasons.
Dortmund have been imperious in the Bundesliga this season, but suffered their first setback of the campaign in their Champions League opener on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten 2-1 by Napoli on a difficult night for the coach, who was sent to the stands for berating the fourth official in an angry exchange that really was quite something to watch, with the enigmatic boss bearing his pearly whites in visible frustration.
Klopp's side now need to prove they can bounce back quickly from the disappointment against Nuremberg this afternoon. Dortmund were unable to sustain a challenge in two competitions last season and will be desperate to show that things are different this year.
Nuremberg meanwhile have endured a difficult start to the campaign, with their first five games yielding three points and no wins. Michael Wiesinger's position as joint coach has come under threat in local media reports in the last weeks, particularly following a home defeat to Augsburg.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Let's head to the starting XIs at the Grundig this afternoon and a huge surprise in the Dortmund lineup, with Robert Lewandowski left on the bench. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
DORTMUND: Weidenfeller; Durm, Subotic, Sokratis, Schmelzer; Bender, Grosskreutz; Blaszczykowski, Reus, Aubameyang; Ducksch
NUREMBERG: Schafer; Chandler, Nilsson, Pogatetz, Plattenhardt; Hasebe, Stark, Frantz; Kiyotake, Hlousek, Ginczek
Klopp has certainly shocked a few people this afternoon with some rare rotation following Dortmund's midweek exertions. The visitors make four changes in total, with 19-year-old Marvin Ducksch given a chance in attack. What a day for the teenager!
After defensive struggles in Naples the visitors also make changes in defence, with Erik Durm and Sokratis called into the back four. Mats Hummels has been dropped after coming off in midweek, while Nuri Sahin also misses out as Kevin Grosskruetz is pushed into midfield.
Dortmund also swap their summer signings this afternoon, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan losing out as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to the starting XI. The Gabon striker has scored five times in as many games in the Bundesliga this season, but it will be interesting to see if he plays out wide or through the centre as the main focal point today.
Nuremberg have also made to changes in midfield today as they search for a winning formula. Impressive teenager Niklas Stark and Mike Frantz come in for the hosts, with Josip Drmic and Hanno Balitsch the duo missing out.
PREDICTION! As both sides emerge at the Grundig there is just time for me to predict a tough test for Dortmund this afternoon, which they will need to be at their best to overcome. Nuremburg are capable of taking advantage of some defensive changes to register this afternoon, but I think Reus will net in a 1-1 draw.
Here we go then with round six of the Bundealiga, with Nuremburg getting this clash underway shooting from left to right.
Dortmund have been quick to control possession and attack down the left through Reus, but Schmelzer's attempt to help out on the overlap comes to nothing.
The visitors win the first corner of the afternoon but Nuremburg have enough bodies well placed to clear upfield. Aubameyang has taken up a familiar wide position early on, as Nuremberg finally get some time on the ball through Stark.
Nuremberg force Weidenfeller to get involved for the first time, but only to come out and collect a stray forward pass towards Ginczek. At the other end Reus is stopped by a strong sliding challenge by Chandler, who has his work cut out this afternoon.
OFF THE LINE! A lovely through ball separates the Nuremberg defence as Reus races into the penalty area. The forward rounds Schafer but is forced wide, with his low shot from a tight angle hooked off the line by Pogatetz. A nervy start from the hosts.
Reus is greeted by a few missiles from the home fans as he goes across to take the corner kick, with the Nuremberg fans doing their upmost to create a hostile atmosphere.
Kiyotake tries a cheeky lob from range after a poor pass at the back gifted the Japanese playmaker possession. With Weidenfeller off his line Kiyotake attempts a lob from around 35 yards, but overhits an effort that flies well over the crossbar.
More encouraging signs for Nuremberg as they show some composure with a patient spell of possession in midfield, before Plattenhardt's low cross is cleared away by Subotic.
Kiyotake continues a bright start by pivoting clear in midfield, before being tripped by Bender. Dortmund then look for Grosskruetz as he makes a break down the left, but his cutback to Schmelzer comes to nothing for the visitors.
OFF THE BAR! Agonisingly close to an opener for Nuremberg as Franz sees a looping header come back off the upright. The midfielder met Hasabe's cross with power as his header sent Weidenfeller scrambling backwards. With the keeper desperately scrambling for a touch the ball came back off the middle off the crossbar, before bouncing clear. Very unlucky for the hosts!
YELLOW CARD! Chandler becomes the first player cautioned after steaming into a challenge by Schmelzer in an attempt to win the ball high up the field. Nuremburg are showing a confident streak in midfield and look the more likely to break the deadlock at this moment.
The first sight of goal for Aubameyang as Dortmund break in the final third. The Gabon forward watched a high cross all the way at the far post, before skewing a low volley wide of the post. Klopp's side are changing positions at every opportunity, with Błaszczykowski often popping up in central midfield.
Kiyotake drifts inside and once again finds space in the final third, unleashing a powerful volley over the crossbar. The Nuremberg fans are in full voice this afternoon and why not, their side have made a positive start.
Hasabe leads another spell of possession for the hosts, with Dortmund pressing but keeping their back four relatively deep. That space is allowing Hasabe and Hiyotake to keep the ball effectively, but on this occasion the former's short pass is cut out by Błaszczykowski.
YELLOW CARD! Schmelzer breaks with purpose down the left and beats Chandler to reach the byline. His cutback is hammered clear as Nuremberg attempt to break, with Reus clattering into Chandler. The winger collects a caution for obstruction, which seems a little harsh. That booking is the least of Dortmund's worries though, with Reus hobbling to the touchline in pain.
Plattenhardt's bright run wins a corner kick for Nuremburg, but Pogatetz is penalised for pushing in the penalty area as the cross comes in. Reus meanwhile is back on for Dortmund and looks to be fine to continue.
GOAL! Nuremberg 0-1 Dortmund (Schmelzer)
Completely against the run of play Schmelzer has just curled a wonderful free kick into the top corner. Dortmund were slightly fortunate to win the free kick after Błaszczykowski was brought down by Stark, but the full-back has taken full advantage. A strike full of pace and whip heads just inside the upright, what a moment for Schmelzer, who has his first goal in nearly two years.
Nuremberg are straight back on the attack after that setback, with Durm clearing as Stark's pass misses Plattenhardt. Just prior to that break Hlousek had a flick header easily gathered by Weidenfeller, who saw the effort all the way to catch cleanly.
Klopp wanted to make a change just before the break and had Hofmann ready for action on the touchline, presumably to replace Reus. There is no time for that change though, as the referee blows for half-time without a single second of added time.
HALF-TIME Nuremburg 0-1 Dortmund
Well Dortmund lead at the break but scarcely deserve their advantage, perhaps the sign of a winning side? Klopp's side have looked disjointed in midfield but broke the deadlock through an unlikely source, with Marcel Schmelzer curling a terrific free kick into the top corner late in the first half.
Nuremberg will have every reason to feel hard done by at the interval, after largely dictating play in the first period. Kiyotake and Hlousek in particular have been bright in possession, but despite those encouraging signs Ginczek has had virtually no service in a lone front role.
Dortmund made four changes this afternoon and have adopted a surprising formation, with wingers and central midfielders often switching quickly in a fluid system. Aubemayang's volley side though there has been a distinct lack of clear-cut chances, but the visitors will be delighted with a slender advantage at the break.
Nuremberg did come within inches of scoring in that first half, with Franz saw a header come back off the crossbar. With plenty of rumours surrounding Wiesinger's position he will no doubt be encouraged by their spirited efforts so far, but at this stage Nuremberg look set to make it six matches without a victory.
BENCH WATCH! After nearly coming on before the break Hofmann will almost certainly be introduced in the second half, with the forward currently warming up during the interval. Dortmund could also call on Lewandowski and Sahin if they need experience in the closing stages, with Thomas Pekhart could be an option in attack for Nuremberg.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Klopp has decided to make a double change at the break. Hofmann's swap for Reus is no surprise, but Sahin coming in for Schmelzer is a shock, with the move surely made to shore things up in central midfield.
Nuremberg are quick to establish possession as the second half gets underway, with Sahin conceding an early free kick after pulling down Stark.
GOAL! Nuremberg 1-1 Dortmund (Nilsson)
Nuremberg are level and its an equaliser they thoroughly deserve. Kiyotake's free kick arrived invitingly for Nilsson inside the penalty area. With Dortmund all at sea defensively the big Swedish defender controlled and smashed home from six yards. Game on at the Grundig!
The hosts are straight back on the attack as Hasabe's intelligent switch finds Hlousek in space out wide. His cross falls short of the penalty area, but Dortmund have another problem which may require a change, with Weidenfeller looking a little dazed in goal.
WIDE! Back come Dortmund as this match really starts to open up. The ball breaks kindly for Błaszczykowski just outside the penalty area, with his scuffed shot skimming off the turf before going just beyond the far post.
SAVE! Marvin Ducksch has just spurned a glorious opportunity to score on his Bundesliga debut. The Dortmund forward burst clear in the penalty area and went on-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his low strike is palmed clear by Schafer, with Pogaretz able to scramble away on the rebound. Much more like it from the visitors.
Ginczek nearly takes advantage of a kind bounce as Nuremburg come forward with numbers spare, but Durm is able to come across and intercept with an important covering challenge. This match is very much up for grabs.
Subotic outmuscles Plattenhardt out wide as Dortmund regain possession. Nuremberg then show some confidence to win the ball back and come clear through Kiyotake, but his attempt to pick out Stark falls just short of the intended target.
SUBSTITUTION: Weidenfeller is very lucky to stop Nuremberg winning a corner kick as he comes across to clear on the touchline, with Subotic cautioned after leaning into Ginczek just moments earlier. Dortmund make a change before play can resume, with Lewandowski on to replace countrymen Błaszczykowski.
Lewandowski's first touch wins Dortmund a corner kick, but when Sahin's cross comes in Sokratis is unable to direct his header on target. Nuremberg have responded to the Pole's introduction with a change of their own, as Hlousek comes off to be replaced by Esswein.
Dortmund are just starting to increase the pressure as Aubameyang wins a corner kick, but as the cross is cleared Bender is penalised for a high foot as he attempts to retrieve possession.
Lewandowski gets his first shot on target from range, with a central drive easily gathered by Schafer. Nilsson goes down heavily after landing awkwardly in an attempt to block that strike, but quickly returns after treatment.
Schafer denies Lewandowski from close range, palming a powerful strike clear after the Pole found room to strike in a packed penalty area. Hofmann attempts to follow up on the rebound, but his effort to beat at the Nilsson is in vain as the flag goes up for offside.
Hofmann controls a neat diagonal from Lewandowski, but cannot get the ball under control as Ducksch looks for the layoff. At the other end Ginczek looks to break clear on the counter, but Sokratis comes across and times a brilliant sliding challenge to perfection. A good job too, because he was the last defender.
SUBSTITUTION: Nuremberg opt to bring on fresh legs in attack, with Czech striker Pekhart on to replace Ginczek, who has been a willing if isolated runner in attack.
Dortmund have a free kick right on the edge of the area agter Hasabe brought down Ducksch just outside the penalty area. Sahin takes a rather casual effort, which deflects off the wall and behind for a corner kick.
Subotic sends a long pass forward in search of Lewandowski, who is harshly judged to have fouled Schafer as he chases a loose ball. Nilsson comes across and confronts the forward in a case of handbags from both players, which the official soon breaks up with a stern warning.
Dortmund catch the hosts napping with a short corner, with Sahin's cross evading at least three players in yellow and black unmarked inside the penalty area. The visitors soon win their seventh corner as Hofmann breaks out wide, with Schafer coming out to punch before rather theatrically falling to the floor.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change from Nuremberg to protect parity, with former Arsenal youngster Martin Angha on to replace Hiyotake and add some steel in midfield.
Grosskruetz finds Lewandowski out wide as we head towards added time, of which there will be two minutes. The forward wins a corner for Dortmund, which is headed away by Stark.
MISS! What an incredible miss by Esswein in the final minute of added time. A mix-up between Subotic and Grosskruetz put the substitute clean through on goal, but from point-blank range he could only blaze over. A horrible miss, you won't get many better chances than that against Dortmund!
FULL-TIME Nuremberg 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
There was still time for Sokratis to miss a header at the other end, but both sides ultimately have to settle for a hard-fought point. I think Klopp will be mightily relieved to keep Dortmund's unbeaten start to the Bundesliga intact, with Nuremberg given plenty of positives to build upon despite failing to win for a sixth successive game.
That just about brings an end to our live coverage from the Grundig, but there is still plenty more to come from the Bundesliga this afternoon. Be sure to stick with Sports Mole for a report from every game in Germany this afternoon, as we build towards tonight's clash between the Boateng brothers as Bayern travel to Schalke. Good afternoon!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
