Borussia Dortmund 2 Nurnberg 0 - Analysis of a Title-Winning Match
Pre Match Build Up
A shock 1-0 loss at Borussia M.Gladbach may have prevented Dortmund clinching the title last weekend but a home game against Nurnberg offered Jurgen Klopp’s side a chance of redemption in front of their own fans. Dortmund had dropped just two points from their last six at home but Nurnberg have been a resilient side on the road of late, losing just once in their last seven away games.
With the chance of silverware on the line, however, Dortmund were not to be denied and once top-scorer Lucas Barrios broke the deadlock after the half four mark, there was only ever going to be one winner.
Our Pre-Match Preview suggested a 2-1 victory for the home side and with good reason; Nurnberg had only failed to score once in those afore-mentioned seven away games but a determined home defence repelled everything the visitors could throw at them, as Dortmund ran out 2-0 winners to be crowned Bundesliga champions 2010/11.
Tactics
Both sides lined up with their favoured 4-2-3-1 formations, with Dortmund’s inspirational playmaker Nuri Sahin missing through a season-ending knee injury. In came veteran Antonio da Silva for just his fourth start of the campaign, sitting next to Sven Bender in front of the back-four. Robert Lewandowski kept up his good form deputising for Shinji Kagawa -the Japanese star has been out since the Asian Cup in January with a broken foot- by sealing the victory with his side’s second just before half time.
Nurnberg’s Ilkay Gundogan continued his recovery from injury, coming off the bench for the second forty-five minutes to replace Robert Mak on the right wing. His club’s defeat must have been bittersweet for the highly-rated youngster; if rumours are to be believed, Gundogan is on the verge of signing for Dortmund over the next few days.
Team Stats
Dortmund were clearly missing the guile of Sahin; his replacement da Silva made 46 Passes - more than any of his team mates- but had 0 Key Passes, illustrating a lack of creativity. Their average of 14 Shots per home game is the best in the Bundesliga but an edgy performance saw them muster just 9 against Nurnberg.
Still, they had the guts and graft to prevail when it mattered most. Although the visitors edged possession and aerial duels with 53% and 55% respectively, and also passed the ball more accurately (75% to 70%), they came across a defiant Dortmund back-four; the defence has conceded just seven home goals all season and their 29 Tackles Won kept Nurnberg at bay, as the visitors managed just 2 shots on target all game.
Key Performers
Marcel Schmelzer Rating 8.04
Our Positional Report Chart shows 50% of Nurnberg’s attacks came down the right flank, but Schmelzer ensured they came to nothing. The Dortmund left-back’s performance typified the battling mindset of the home side; he won more Tackles and Interceptions than any other player (7 & 6 respectively) and made 2 Clearances in an inspirational display. Schmelzer also had 68 Touches, more than any Dortmund player, made 1 Key Pass and 2 Crosses, also posing a threat going forward.
Robert Lewandowski Rating 7.96
Playing in the hole just behind Lucas Barrios, the young Pole scored for the second home match in a row and caused Nurnberg endless problems with his trickery. Lewandowski had a fantastic 5 Successful Dribbles in the match, way more than anyone else on the pitch. He also had 2 Shots, finding the net with the only one on target to effectively seal the title win.
He was also good in the air, winning 2 Aerial Duels, the second-highest of the day and made 2 Tackles and 2 Interceptions, a further illustration of the determination and will-to-win that has spread right through this Dortmund side.
