December in Europe is always a thrilling time for football fans, and the Bundesliga did not disappoint with its latest spectacle. Borussia Dortmund experienced a rollercoaster match, missing a crucial opportunity to ascend the league table. Hosting RB Leipzig in a pivotal 14th-round derby, Borussia faced a 3-2 defeat.
The night took a turn for the worse for Borussia in the 15th minute when Mats Hummels was sent off with a straight red card, leaving the team a man down for nearly the entire game. Misfortune continued for Dortmund; in the 32nd minute, Ramy Bensebaini inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Leipzig a 1-0 lead. However, Borussia showed resilience. In the first half’s stoppage time, Niklas Süle, assisted by Julian Brandt, equalized the score to 1-1 despite their numerical disadvantage.
In the second half, Leipzig, capitalizing on their extra player, took control of the game. Their efforts paid off when Christoph Baumgartner netted a goal in the 54th minute, pushing Leipzig ahead 2-1. Dortmund, undeterred by their setback, fought valiantly to secure at least a point. However, Leipzig maintained their composure and extended their lead in stoppage time with a goal from Yussuf Poulsen, assisted by Emil Forsberg.
The drama peaked in the final moments as Borussia’s Niclas Füllkrug, assisted again by Brandt, scored, bringing the final score to 3-2. Despite their spirited performance, Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to close the gap on Bayern Munich, now trailing by four points, and Bayer Leverkusen, who are seven points ahead. Borussia remains in fifth place with 25 points, while RB Leipzig climbs to fourth with 29 points.
