Borussia Dortmund have narrowly missed out on beating Hoffenheim in an intense away match, claiming a 1-1 (1-1) draw that sees the Black and Yellows drop one place in the table and opens up a two-point gap to the seventh-place finish required for Europa League qualification. 

Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reports

The 31,150 spectators in the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena witnessed an intense and hard-fought first period containing few footballing highlights as Hoffenheim initially gained the upper hand. Volland broke the deadlock for TSG (33) before Hummels levelled the scores a minute later (34). At least in parts, the match proved to be a more attractive spectacle in the second half as a fine Langerak performance kept BVB on level terms. But while BVB and TSG both seemed dissatisfied at the prospect of a draw, neither side was able to snatch the all-important winner. 

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The scenario:
"It's a real six-pointer - with no ifs and buts," said Jürgen Klopp in the build-up to the match. And he was right, too, as a win would have seen BVB leapfrog their direct rivals in the table. A courageous midweek performance saw Borussia follow up victories in their last two Bundesliga matches with a penalty shoot-out victory away at FC Bayern Munich to reach the DFB Cup final, while Hoffenheim also won last time out to bring a winless run of four matches to an end. The two teams last squared off just 25 days ago, when Dortmund emerged 3-2 winners after extra time in a nerve-racking DFB Cup quarter final encounter.

Personnel matters:

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Jürgen Klopp rested Marco Reus.

Jürgen Klopp went into the match without Marco Reus, who was suffering from a muscle complaint. But it was just a precautionary measure, with the Germany international expected to return against Berlin next Saturday. However, Adrian Ramos faces a longer spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury in the final training session. Other absentees included Großkreutz (knee operation), Kirch (lack of match fitness), Sahin (irritation of tendon insertion) and Weidenfeller (muscular problems), while Piszczek returned to the squad and Neven Subotic replaced the versatile Sokratis in the starting eleven. TSG coach Markus Gisdol was without the suspended Strobl and central defender Süle (lack of match fitness following a cruciate ligament injury). 

Tactics:
Both teams lined up with the same playing system but in slightly different formations. While BVB operated with a 4-2-3-1 with Mkhitaryan trying to build up pressure down the right flank and Blaszczykowski on the left, Hoffenheim played in a classic 4-4-2 with Volland and Firmino both moving into the centre from their respective positions on the right and left to cause danger.

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Gündogan pulled the strings in midfield.

The match & analysis:
The hosts dominated the opening stages and created a first gilt-edged chance after just four minutes when Volland threaded a pass through to Modeste, but Langerak denied the Hoffenheim player in a one-on-one courtesy of a strong block with his thigh. As the first period progressed, TSG were the more active side and consistently drew BVB into tackles to prevent their visitors' build-up play.

For Borussia, it developed into a physically demanding game with few chances on goal. Both teams often resorted to hitting long balls forward in an attempt to break through quickly down the middle, but there was little space to be found at either end. BVB predominantly put all their efforts into their defensive performance and attempted to cause danger on the counter-attack, though they lacked accuracy in the final third.

It was not until around the thirty-minute mark when Volland threatened once again, with his first shot flying just wide of the right post. But when he received the ball in the box just three minutes later, the winger outfought Schmelzer and fired the ball over the onrushing Langerak into the far corner (33). Even then, however, the Black and Yellows did not let their heads drop.

Hummels equalises, Kuba forced off

The visitors responded immediately as Mkhitaryan swung a corner into the centre for Hummels, with the defender outjumping Bicakcic and Szalai to steer the ball towards goal and equalise with a header that nestled in the bottom right corner (34). After that, the score remained the same until the break, largely thanks to Modeste shooting into the side netting after being forced out wide by Langerak (42).

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Volland consistently put Schmelzer to the test on the right flank.

But bad news was in store for Jürgen Klopp, who watched on as Blaszczykowski sustained an injury in a challenge with Firmino. The Pole was forced to undergo treatment before limping towards the changing rooms with a clear groin problem. He was replaced by Kampl on the 41-minute mark.

Both teams made a lively start to the second period, with Volland first firing wide from 20 metres out before Gündogan played an inch-perfect pass to Mkhitaryan, who in turn played the ball from the right into the centre. The onrushing Kagawa latched onto the ball, but his sliding effort went just to the left of Baumann's goal. With the exception of the equaliser, it was the Black and Yellows' best chance of the match.

The next two chances came in quick succession. First, Aubameyang sprinted towards goal before outfoxing Abraham in the penalty area and squaring to Kagawa, whose subsequent effort was blocked at the last second (57). A minute later, Modeste benefited from a misplaced Dortmund pass and closed in on goal from the left before hitting his shot wide of the far post (58).

Langerak keeps BVB in the game

It was just two minutes later when Modeste received the ball in the penalty area, but the Hoffenheim player was denied again by the spectacular form of Langerak. And though the BVB custodian was beaten in Hoffenheim's next attack, he was fortunate enough to see Firmino's dangerous header crash against the bar (61). The game became more and more intense as both teams poured forward in search of the winner. With 64 minutes on the clock, Aubameyang made for goal with Bicakcic on his tail but the Gabonese striker's effort went wide.

Hoffenheim seemed equally dissatisfied at the prospect of a draw, trying time and time again to launch a direct attack. It was not until injury forced the home side into a change - Kim replaced Abraham after 81 minutes - that Borussia managed to threaten the TSG goal. Again, it was Aubameyang who faced Baumann in a one-on-one, but once again it was the keeper who emerged victorious (85). It was the same with Immobile just two minutes later before Bicakcic denied Gündogan with a strong challenge in the last minute.

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Prospects:
With just three matchdays of the Bundesliga season remaining, Borussia Dortmund's next home game is against Hertha BSC at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK next Saturday (15:30 CET).