Tigges shows class to give BVB the win
Borussia Dortmund II maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the German Regionalliga West with a tight 1-0 win against fourth-placed side Fortuna Köln.
Oster-Heimsieg! 🙌 #BVBU23 pic.twitter.com/3j7F1Bilkg
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) April 4, 2021
Steffen Tigges scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute to net his 18th league goal of the season and secure a crucial win for the Black and Yellows.
First half
The first half was mostly dominated by the hosts. Tigges threatened with a header from a Dominik Wanner’s cross that went just past the post.
Their biggest chance came minutes later on the counter attack. Alaa Bakir won the ball back and fed Richmond Tachie, who cut inside and had a shot saved. The rebound fell to Tigges but his two attempts were blocked.
Second half
Fortuna Koln started to threaten at the beginning of the second half. Their best chance came when the ball fell kindly for Mike Owusu at the back post, but his shot was well saved by Luca Unbehaun.
BVB broke the deadlock with a stunning goal in the 50th minute. Bakir picked the ball up just outside the area and drifted past three defenders before pulling the ball back for Tigges.
The striker turned in the box, held off a couple of defenders and showed all his composure and strength to find the bottom corner.
Aday Ercan replaced Tigges a few minutes later and had a chance to double the lead but blazed over.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser and went close with a header from Jannik Löhden. Dortmund held on to win their third successive game.
What it means
Enrico Maaßen’s side have now taken 30 points from 12 games in 2021 and have taken pole position in the Regionalliga West division.
They face in-form side Preussen Munster on Wednesday in a huge game between the two sides with the best records in 2021. Preussen Muenster have risen to third in the table after a 13-game unbeaten run. Fortuna Köln remain fourth.
RW Essen back on track
Elsewhere, RW Essen hammered Schalke II 5-0 to potentially reignite their title ambitions after an indifferent run of form.
✊ Wir kämpfen #immeRWEiter! 💪🙏#nurderrwe #RWES04 pic.twitter.com/w5rrwUgnUs
— Rot-Weiss Essen (@rot_weiss_essen) April 4, 2021
It was the second home game in a row that they have scored at least four, but it was their first win in three league games.
