BERLIN — Michy Batshuayi scored deep in injury time for Borussia Dortmund to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 and return to third place in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The visitors were expecting a share of the points after Danny Blum’s injury-time equalizer, but there was still time for Batshuayi – who was dropped from the starting lineup – to score his second goal of the game.
Dortmund moved three points clear of Frankfurt with eight games remaining.
Frankfurt, which had twice come from behind to pull level, dropped to fifth. It’s two points behind Bayer Leverkusen, which occupies the last Champions League qualification spot.
Christian Pulisic, restored to Dortmund’s starting lineup after being one of the few to impress in the side’s Europa League defeat at home to Salzburg, displayed his intent from the start, whipping in a sharp cross that Andre Schuerrle headed wide.
Two minutes later, the United States midfielder did it again, crossing for Marco Reus at the far post only for retreating Frankfurt defender Marco Russ to turn it into his own net in an attempt to clear. Reus, who extended his Dortmund contract on Friday, would have almost certainly scored either way.
Dortmund dominated the rest of the first half but Frankfurt held on and showed a different face in the second half.
Kevin-Prince Boateng drew a smart save from Dortmund’s Roman Buerki after the break, and the visitors maintained their pressure.
Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger brought on Batshuayi for the last half hour. The Belgian forward had played every league game for Dortmund since his loan winter switch from Chelsea, though he hadn’t scored since the 2-0 win over Hamburger SV on Feb. 10.
But it was another substitute, Luka Jovic, who rewarded Frankfurt’s patience with the equalizer with 15 minutes remaining. The Serbian forward got his head to Jonathan de Guzman’s free kick.
Not to be upstaged, Batshuayi scored two minutes later to restore the home side’s lead after being played through by Pulisic.
Dortmund finished strongly with Reus drawing a good save from Lukas Hradecky, who might be a teammate next season. The Frankfurt goalkeeper’s contract is up at the end of the season and has been linked as a replacement for the retiring Roman Weidenfeller.
Then Blum thought he’d salvaged a draw with his equalizer, but Batshuayi had the final say, stopping the ball with his right foot and turning to smash it in with his left.
"I’m happy because it’s a long time since I scored," Batshuayi said.
——
STUTTGART THRIVING
Stuttgart held Leipzig to a 0-0 draw to stay unbeaten in six Bundesliga games under new coach Tayfun Korkut.
Leipzig, which hasn’t won in four games, remains sixth.
Timo Werner had the best chances for Leipzig on his return to his former side. The Germany striker missed a great opportunity before the break when Stuttgart ‘keeper Ron-Robert Zieler got a foot to his shot.
Arguably the best chance of an uninspiring game fell to Mario Gomez, who headed wide for hosts Stuttgart with 10 minutes remaining.
[relatedlinks]
