Dusseldorf upset Dortmund in German Bundesliga

Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-19 09:15:27|Editor: Liu
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BERLIN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Newly promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf handed Borussia Dortmund their first loss of the season in the 16th round of the Bundesliga on Tuesday.

The "BVB" suffered their first loss as Dusseldorf carved out a surprising 2-1 victory after Dodi Lukebakio and Jean Zimmer provided the goals. From the kick-off Dortmund assumed control of the ball and pressed the hosts into defense.

Dusseldorf defended deep and waited for their chances to counter attack. The host's strategy paid off 22 minutes into the game when Kevin Stoeger's through ball allowed Dodi Lukebakio to beat onrushing Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Buerki for the opener.

Friedhelm Funkel's men should have doubled the lead in the 38th minute but Japan international Takashi Usami missed the empty net from four meters out.

The second half started similar to the first, as Dortmund controlled the proceedings on the pitch while Dusseldorf focused on fast breaks. However, Dortmund lacked ideas and got punished by Dusseldorf, who doubled the lead out of the blue in the 56th minute when Jean Zimmer unleashed a long-range hammer to beat Buerki into the far post.

Dortmund's head coach Lucien Favre reacted and fielded Jadon Sancho and Paco Alcacer at the hour mark. Nevertheless, Dusseldorf continued to create chances on fast breaks as Lukebakio and Stoeger missed the target.

As the match progressed, Dortmund increased the pressure and got rewarded in the 81st minute as Lukasz Piszczek's delivery found substitute Paco Alcacer, who nodded home his 12th goal of the season.

Dortmund pressed frenetically for the equalizer but their efforts remained fruitless as Dusseldorf protected their lead to the end. With the result, Dortmund stay atop the standings with a six-point advantage and Dusseldorf climbed out of the relegation zone into 15th place.

"I am satisfied with the performance of my team. It is remarkable how they implemented our plan," Dusseldorf head coach Friedhelm Funkel said.

"Dusseldorf hit us on the breaks whereas we didn't find the gaps. We played a better second half but we still conceded the second goal," Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre said.

Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach closed in on Dortmund after beating newly promoted Nuremberg 2-0 with goals from Thorgan Hazard and Alassane Plea. Hertha Berlin shared the spoils with Augsburg following a 2-2 draw and Wolfsburg edged Stuttgart 2-0.

On Wednesday, Schalke host Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen face Hoffenheim, Freiburg face Hannover, defending champions Bayern Munich clash with Leipzig and Mainz face Eintracht Frankfurt.

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