Karim Adeyemi fired BVB into their earliest lead of the season so far with a powerful long-range effort in the 20th minute and was a constant threat in a first half that was dominated by the Black & Y...
Karim Adeyemi fired BVB into their earliest lead of the season so far with a powerful long-range effort in the 20th minute and was a constant threat in a first half that was dominated by the Black & Yellows. This narrow lead remained intact until the closing stages, since Wolfsburg's Koulierakis was denied by the crossbar (58) and VfL keeper Grabara intervened to stop Nmecha making it 2-0 to Dortmund at the other end (75).
The scenario: Three teams were still unbeaten after the Saturday games on Matchday 4; two of them were going head-to-head in tonight's game. The Black & Yellows had won each of their previous seven home games against Wolfsburg, conceding only one goal in the process.
Personnel matters: Niko Kovac made one change to the team that drew 4-4 with Juventus in Turin in the Champions League five days ago: Nico Schlotterbeck went straight into the starting line-up following an almost six-month absence (torn meniscus) and replaced Yan Couto (substitutes). Aaron Anselmino (muscular problems), Emre Can (adductor problems), Julien Duranville (shoulder injury), Fabio Silva (adductor problems) and Niklas Süle (muscle injury) were still unavailable.
Tactics: Schlotterbeck took on the central defensive role in Dortmund's 3-4-3 formation, with Anton moving over to the right and Ryerson occupying his usual position on the right flank. Wolfsburg lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, withdrawing deep when Dortmund had possession and pushing forward with numerous players when they had the ball.
The match & analysis:Adeyemi registered the first dangerous shot after only 105 seconds. The first corner-kick then resulted in turbulent scenes in the Wolfsburg penalty area (5). But then the visitors showed why they had started the season so well, holding their own courageously and making few errors – until the 20th minute. Sabitzer intercepted a pass from Maehle deep in the opposition half and played it to Ryerson, who immediately fed the ball to Adeyemi. The Dortmund player dribbled into a centre-right position and then unleashed a shot from around 20 metres. The ball flew into the right corner of the goal at 126km/h. 1-0!
Beier could have extended the lead, but his header from Ryerson's cross sailed narrowly wide of the left upright (34). Ten minutes later, Beier won the ball back against Fischer in his own half of the pitch and advanced down the left flank but could not pick out a passing option in what was a three versus two scenario and tried to go it alone instead. Grabara saved.
The timing between attack and defence was right at the beginning of the second period too. Borussia Dortmund combined neatly going forward but without creating major opportunities. Instead, a dead-ball situation brought about the first moment of danger for the visitors. A free-kick cross from Arnold from a deep position on the left made its way via Amoura to Koulierakis, who fired the ball against the underside of the bar and it rebounded back into play. But the goal probably would not have counted due to an offside position (58).
It marked the start of a brief "strange spell" in a game which Wolfsburg were now increasingly growing into. The South Stand also fell silent due to a medical emergency. Only in the 75th minute was there an opportunity to double the advantage. But Grabara in the VfL goal shone with a spectacular save to deny Nmecha, who had headed Ryerson's corner goalbound. Guirassy did not register his first shot at goal until the 86th minute, but it was highly dangerous. A Wolfsburg player managed to get a leg in the way at the last minute.
Outlook:Borussia Dortmund will be away to 1. FSV Mainz 05 next Saturday. Kick-off will be at 15:30 CEST.Boris Rupert reporting
Teams & goals
Bundesliga Matchday 4Sunday 21 September 2025, 19:30 CESTBORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 (1-0) VFL WOLFSBURG
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Sabitzer (Özcan, 90+2), Nmecha (Bellingham, 77), Svensson – Adeyemi (Brandt, 77), Guirassy, Beier (Chukwuemeka, 65)VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara – Fischer, Jenz, Koulierakis, Maehle (Pejcinovic, 81) – Arnold, Souza (Eriksen, 60) – Skov Olsen (Daghim, 46), Majer (Svanberg, 60), Wimmer (Wind, 73) – AmouraSubstitutes: Meyer, Couto, Groß, Campbell, Mane – Müller, Dardai, Zehnter, Kumbedi Goals: 1-0 Adeyemi (Ryerson, 20)Corners: 9-3 (2-0 at half-time), chance ratio: 5-1 (3-0)Referee: Siebert (Berlin), yellow cards: BensebainiAttendance: 81,365 (sold-out), weather: dry, 13 degrees
Category: General Sports
