Soccer is a very simple game. 22 players run around a field and the team that crowds around the goalkeeper during set-pieces walks away with three points! As fans across the world reject modern soccer’s use of set pieces to change the game, Niko Kovac embraces modernity with a macabre infatuation. Dortmund have actually learned how to score set-piece goals. This revolutionary discovery led Borussia Dortmund to a 4-0 rout over Mainz, despite every fan, podcaster, and blogger jinxing Dortmund by declaring
that the “title race is on”. The game itself was fascinating. Like Dortmund’s recent matches, the scoreline doesn’t reflect the true balance of the match as neither side put on an offensive clinic. Dortmund managed four goals, three from set-pieces, and Mainz’s two ‘big chances’ came from set-pieces themselves. Despite not having Nico Schlotterbeck, Dortmund put on a defensive masterclass and limited Mainz to just 0.35 xG from open play.
Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring in the 9th minute after Beier earned a foul on the edge of the box and Julian Ryerson’s inswinging cross found Dortmund’s striker. Ryerson notched his second assist of the match from a similar area, this time from open play, to find Maximilian Beier at the back post. Dortmund found their third goal just before halftime with Ryerson once again finding Serhou on a set piece, this time from the corner. Mainz were kept largely quiet in first half outside of one goal that was called back for offside. Kovac’s team kep the pressure up and Ryerson notched his fourth assist of the match after Bensebaini’s header was deflected past Daniel Batz in the 84th minute.
Want to see Ryerson’s masterclass? Check out the highlights here!
My Takeaways
Set-pieces as a Weapon
Goals are the lifeblood of soccer and it doesn’t matter how they are scored. Dortmund now find themselves in a pivotal moment of their season; UCL on the line against Atalanta and a potential title race with Bayern culminates in this months Der Klassiker. Dortmund need every goal they can get and set-pieces can be a pivotal tool to decide matches. Ryerson was excellent in his delivery over the course of this match but that’s not the only reason for Dortmund’s set-piece success. Since Alex Clapham stepped down as set-piece coach in December, Dortmund have added a level of diversity to their tactics. Tonight’s match showed that. Dortmund’s first goal came from the players staggering forward and pushing Mainz’s defensive line towards the goal following a fake kick from Julian Brandt. The third and fourth goals came from Arsenal-style corners where Dortmund’s players crowded the goalkeeper on the goal-line. Neither of these tactics were used by Dortmund this season and found great success in this match!
No Schlotterbeck, No Problem
With Dortmund’s defensive talisman missing this game due to yellow-card accumulation, many thought that Dortmund would struggle to keep Mainz quiet. Instead, a backline of Rami Bensebaini, Waldemar Anton, and Niklas Sule kept Nadim Amiri and company quiet. Obviously this is equal parts Mainz’s failure to muster any meaningful chances and Dortmund’s defensive line playing well. That being said, it is vital that Dortmund can comfortably rest Schlotterbeck as the season reaches its climax. An additional shout out to Luca Reggiani for a solid 45-minute display. The 18-year-old’s passing wasn’t great but his defensive showing was good!
Quickfire Takeaways:
- Maximilian Beier has cemented himself ahead of Karim Adeyemi in the depth chart. Beier scored another goal in this game and has scored a goal roughly every two games this season.
- Guirassy has quietly found his form. The Guinean has five goals over the last three games!
- Dortmund reached 51 points after this match and are now just six points shy of their final points tally last season. Dortmund’s current points per game tally, 2.31 ppg, is second best points per game in club history.
