With four defeats from 16 matches in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund cannot afford any more slip-ups, if they want to have any chance of keeping up with league leaders Bayern, who won in Dortmund nearly a month ago and are currently nine points ahead, with one game more that their closest rivals. But it’s easier said than done. BVB seems to have problems against lower opposition, more precisely against relegation strugglers, who are putting a strong defensive display against Haaland and co.Oh Donnnnyyyy Boy! 🎶pic.twitter.com/mP8p1FArtG— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) December 17, 2021 That’s why Borussia only drew 1-1 with Bochum two weeks ago and won against Greuther Furth, but that 3-0 win was not convincing as it looks. In fact, for greater part of the match, the bottom-table Furth was closer to the equalizer that Borussia to it’s second goal. That’s why coach Marco Rose calls for caution against another struggler – Hertha Berlin.”We played balls that really don’t exist and we had little pull to the goal. That means that you don’t feel good, you don’t get a rhythm and then the stadium becomes restless. In Berlin, his team must do it differently, otherwise it will be difficult. We have to accept that – and deal with the resistance better than we did on Wednesday” said Rose.Aufiderzen Haaland, Willkommen Adeyemi!As usual, Erling Haaland is the main scorer in the team. The Norwegian has an astonishing 53 goals in 53 Bundesliga games so far, but new acquisition Donyell Malen has scored a goal in five of his last six competitive appearances. He had scored twice in the Bundesliga from range, and against Furth he has netted from inside the box for the first time.”We have always said that we are convinced of him. But it was always clear to us that he would need time to adapt. He’s been doing very well in the past few weeks. He plays with a lot more confidence, picks up more balls, shows his wit and also gets scorer points. Now we have to work on sustainability” said Rose.BVB have won 32 of their 68 Bundesliga meetings with Hertha, including each of the last five. They are unbeaten in their last four league visits to the Olympiastadion. Dortmund will travel to Berlin without goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, defender Mats Hummels and suspended midfielder Jude Bellingham, while left-back Raphael Guerreiro remains a doubt.Bundesliga, Round 17Friday Bayern München – VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 (1-0)/Muller 7, Upamecano 57, Sane 59, Lewandowski 87/Saturday17:30 Hoffenheim – Borussia M’gladbach17:30 Eintracht Frankfurt – Mainz 0517:30 RB Leipzig – Arminia Bielefeld17:30 Greuther Furth – Augsburg17:30 Bochum – Union Berlin20:30 Hertha – Borussia Dortmund
