Paderborn 1 – 6 Borussia Dortmund
Hazard 53′, Sancho 56′ 73′ 90, Hunemeier (pen) ’70, Schmelzer 82′, Hakimi 85′
Benteler Arena, 31/05/20
There were lots of distractions around Borussia Dortmund’s “hammering” of Paderborn not least star player Jadon Sancho removing his top after scoring his first goal since returning from injury to reveal a message in support of American deceased George Floyd. But looking beyond Sancho’s political message and Dortmund scoring six second half goals there are cracks appearing in under pressure coach Lucien Favre’s side.
-Match report: Paderborn 1 – 6 Dortmund
Even though Favre all but conceded the title race to Bayern saying it would be “brutally difficult” to catch the Bavarian giants after his team’s underwhelming loss to the defending champions at home a week ago there is still a lot of work to be done by BVB.
“One wonders whether things could have been different for Paderborn had every shot sliced wide or blasted over the bar been met with ‘ohhs’, ‘ahhs’ and applause rather than the silence of an empty arena.”
Dortmund are embroiled in a surprisingly tight race for three of the four champions league spots in Bundesliga with just four points separating second place Dortmund (60) and fifth place Leverkusen (56). The pressure on the situation ramps up even more bearing in mind Dortmund still have to go to third place RB Leipzig and try keep at bay free scoring Timo Werner, but there are concerns to address before that.
Dortmund’s first half display against Paderborn was abject in the vacuumless surroundings of the Benteler Arena. Dortmund’s front three were not clicking with mistimed runs and misplaced passes typified by Julien Brandt’s slack five yard pass to Sancho intercepted in the middle of the first half. The Englishman reacted by petulantly flinging up his arms in frustration.
“Lucien Favre’s side do not want to turn this into a habit created by an overwhelming sense of disappointment at the title race being all but over. Especially with the importance of securing Champions League football next season still to play for.”
It was a peculiar affair to watch the Dortmund defence sit deep and invite pressure from bottom side Paderborn, who have only won four games in the whole Bundesliga season. Paderborn strikers Streli Mamba and Christopher Antwi-Adjej were causing Hummels and co a headache with their pace and blusterous enthusiasm. In front of 15,000 Paderborn supporters and with the roar of approval at chasing down lost causes and running at defenders one wonders whether things could have been different for Paderborn had every shot sliced wide or blasted over the bar been met with ‘ohhs’, ‘ahhs’ and applause rather than the silence of an empty arena.
Sancho did get a hat-trick with a stunning second half display but this performance and the confidence it induces might count little to Borussia Dortmund’s future with the indications suggesting Sancho will be heading back to England in the summer, coronavirus permitted.
For a crunch decider in the title race Dortmund’s performance against Bayern a week ago was the most frustrating it could be. They weren’t poor and hammered and they didn’t play well and come away hard done by. Instead they were flat seeming to freeze facing the chance of placing a hand on the ‘Meisterschale’ (Champions’ Bowl) ((no conotations to salad)). Either BVB were happy with or unable to change a 0-0 scoreline. It took Bayern to do that with an inspirational lob from midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
Dortmund’s lethargic performance against Bayern seemed to roll over into the game against Paderborn. Lucien Favre’s side do not want to turn this into a habit created by an overwhelming sense of disappointment at the title race being all but over. Especially with the importance of securing Champions League football next season still to play for.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 