Two pens annul Guirassy's goal in BVB's loss, Bayern are a point away from the title

Even though the clash against Hoffenheim wasn’t too important for Borussia Dortmund, as they couldn’t move up or down in the Bundesliga table, Niko Kovac’s crew naturally hates to lose. Nevertheless, they seriously lacked passion and willpower today and deservedly lost 2-1.

It was visible that this match was much more crucial for the home team in their Champions League battle, but they failed to maintain the lead they earned four minutes before the break when Andrej Kramaric scored from the spot.

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Serhou Guirassy was Kovac’s super sub, as the Guinean came off the bench in the 60th minute and netted the equalizer three minutes before the end.

Nevertheless, deep in added time, Hoffenheim were awarded another penalty, which Kramaric sent home again, winning the game for his team.

At the same time, Dortmund’s loss means that Bayern Munich are only a point away from their second consecutive Bundesliga title. If the Bavarians avoid defeat against Stuttgart tomorrow at the Allianz Arena (18.30), they will be crowned champions of Germany.

After the opening half of the duel between one of the Bundesliga Champions League candidates, Hoffenheim, and the second-placed Borussia Dortmund, which had practically secured their spot in the elite European competition, the home team was 1-0, scoring the opener after a quite bizarre situation in the 42nd minute.

Namely, the BVB defender Niklas Sule slipped and fell in his own box, picking up an injury. At the same moment, Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric shot towards Gregor Kobel's goal and hit the lying centre-back in his arm.

The VAR room reacted and awarded the home crew a penalty kick, while Sule was forced to leave the pitch with an injury. Kramaric sent the spot kick home, putting Hoffenheim in front.

Truth be told, Christian Ilzer's men were better before the goal, hit the bar through Tim Lemperle in the sixth minute, and wasted another good chance 20 minutes later when Kobel stopped Kramaric's dangerous effort.

Hence, as odd as the situation that preceded their opener was, Hoffenheim were deservedly in the lead.

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Dortmund's same pale and uninspiring performance continued in the second half, so their manager Niko Kovac subbed on his most ruthless striker, Serhou Guirassy, at the hour mark, hoping the Guinean will turn the tables and bring the vital leveller.

Nevertheless, Hoffenheim were much more cautious after the break, aware of the importance of winning three points against the giants, as the victory would make them serious contenders for one of the Champions League spots.

Still, in the end, the home team failed to hold on to their lead, as Guirassy repaid Kovac's trust, netting a beautiful equalizer in the 87th minute

At that point, it seemed the visitors would earn a point they didn't deserve, but deep in added time, their defender Julian Ryerson handballed in the box, Hoffenheim got another spot kick, which Kramaric again sent home, for the immense joy of the packed PreZero Arena.

Dortmund's defeat means Bayern would win the Bundesliga title if they avoid defeat tomorrow against Stuttgart at home.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 30

Friday

St. Pauli - Koln 1-1 (0-0)

/Mets 69 - Waldschmidt 86 pen/

Saturday

Hoffenheim - Borussia Dortmund 2-1 (1-0)

/Kramaric 41 pen, 90+8 pen - Guirassy 87/

Bayer Leverkusen - Augsburg 1-2 (1-1)

/Schick 12 - Rieder 15, 90+7 pen/

Union Berlin - Wolfsburg 1-2 (0-1)

/Burke 85 - Wimmer 11, Pejcinovic 46/

Werder - Hamburger 3-1 (1-1)

/Stage 37, 57, Puertas 90+1 - Glatzel 41/

19.30: (3.35) Eintracht Frankfurt (4.10) RB Leipzig (2.05)

Sunday

16.30: (1.68) Freiburg (3.80) Heidenheim (5.20)

18.30: (1.42) Bayern (5.30) Stuttgart (6.25)

20.30: (2.45) Monchengladbach (3.55) Mainz (2.95)

***odds are subject to change***