Berlin, Aug 31 (IANS) Dortmund defeated Berlin 3-1 to reclaim the top-spot from Bayern while Bremen edged Monchengladbach 2-1 clinching their first win of the season at the closer of the third round in Bundesliga on Sunday.
Thomas Tuchel’s men earned their third consecutive win to reclaim the top spot due to the better goal difference in comparison to rivals Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin suffered their first loss of the season, XInhua reported.
Dortmund dominated the proceedings on the pitch immediately after the opening whistle. Nonetheless, the “BVB” lacked in penetration and ideas to overcome Berlin’s well positioned bulwark in the opening period.
Thus, the hosts had to wait until the 27th minute before German international Mats Hummels headed home the opener following a pinpoint cross to the far post by Shinji Kagawa. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had the chance to double the lead before the break but Berlin goalkeeper Thomas Kraft was on guard.
Nevertheless, Dortmund extended the lead after the restart as Matthias Ginter assisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a square pass six minutes into the second half.
Berlin kept it bowling whilst Dortmund remained wasteful and squandered a number of opportunities from promising positions. The host’s wastefulness got nearly punished as Salomon Kalou reduced the arrears for Berlin after making use on a rebound from close range at the 78th minute.
However, Dortmund increased their pressure and made the game safe in the dying minutes of the game when former Berlin striker Adrian Ramos scored the third goal of the afternoon.
Elsewhere, Jannik Vestergaard’s second-half header moved Werder Bremen 2-1 past Borussia Monchengladbach, who suffered their third straight loss to ensure the worst start into the season of their Bundesliga history.
Bremen’s Aron Johannsson opened the scoring from the penalty spot at the 41st minute. It was yet a short-lived joy for the hosts as Monchengladbach’s new arrival Lars Stindl restored parity just before the break. However, Vestergaard’s 2-1 header following a corner sewed up Bremen first win of the season.