Postmatch Reaction: Historic Loss in Holstein
Holstein Kiel’s 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night showcases football’s two faces. For Die Störche and their supporters, it represents what could be the crescendo following a 62-year push for Bundesliga football. They reached the submit and have slayed one of the Bundesliga’s giants. Stating this was David beating the Goliath would be an understatement for Holstien Kiel. The club’s annual wage budget is a measly €11,680,00 and only one of Borussia Dortmund’s players today, youngster Julien Duranville, makes less than Kiel’s highest paid player. Kiel end the first half of the season with a much needed 3 points and, more importantly, a victory to remember regardless of their uncertain future.
For Borussia Dortmund, the game represents a different side of football and a familiar feeling for the club’s fans – disappointment. It is impossible not to be frustrated by the result. The players looked lethargic, lacking in ideas, and downright lazy. There were no leaders on the pitch, on the touchline, or even in the stands despite Dortmund’s hierarchy watching on. The team is now in 9th place and, frankly, look destined for a midtable finish.
The Match
The actual match represented the team’s repeated issues throughout not just this season, but in the last half decade. Borussia Dortmund started well and were retaining possession within the opponent’s defensive third. Despite the possession, the club was only able to muster shots from outside of the opponent’s penalty area. There was an overall lack of cohesion as Holstein Kiel dropped back and played counter-attacking football. The host’s fast break in the fifth minute set the pace for their attacking contingent and they drew blood through a downright idiotic back pass from one of Dortmund’s seasoned outfield players, Julian Brandt. Phil Harres forced Brandt to commit the error and Stuto Machino capitalized on the opportunity almost immediately.
Five minutes later saw Dortmund turn over the ball in the middle third and Holstein Kiel strung together some quick, albeit sloppy, passes to give Pil Harres a header from 7 yards out. The 22-year-old converted and Sahin’s men found themselves down 2-0 within 35 minutes. The resulting response was simply pathetic from Borussia Dortmund. The team continued to dominate possession but failed to generate any shots on target. First half stoppage time featured another fast break opportunity for the hosts and a goal from Alexander Bernhardsson from 6 yards out. 3-0, Holstien Kiel.
Dortmund simply looked out of their depth in the first and the stats showed it. The visitors dominated possession at 77% but managed only one shot on target, six shots total, and an xG of 0.26. They had 5 times the passes that Kiel had, five more corners, and 177 passes inside Kiel’s box. Despite all of this possession, Kiel recorded 4 more touches in the opposition’s box (10 v. 6) and an xG of 1.12.
Borussia Dortmund made two changes in the second half with the introduction of Waldemar Anton and Maximilian Beier for Bensebaini and Ryerson respectively. This did shake things up and Borussia Dortmund were creating chances but still failed to create meaningful opportunities from their forward line. Substitute Giovanni Reyna reminded us all that he existed with a goal from distance in the 71st minute and Gitten’s strike in the 77th minute threatened to spark a comeback but the damage was done. Lewis Holtby made a ten minute cameo for the hosts only to earn a read card in the 86th minute. The game ended with Jann-Fiete Arp scoring on an open goal in the dying embers of the game. The players held their heads low and were berated by member’s of Dortmund’s fiery traveling contingent while Nuri Sahin was nowhere to be seen.
