Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart – Bundesliga – November 1, 2013

On November 1, 2013, Borussia Dortmund faced VfB Stuttgart in a Bundesliga match at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. Borussia Dortmund delivered a dominant performance, securing a 6-1 victory in a match that showcased their attacking prowess.

Key Statistics and Analysis

1. Scoreline and Goal Timings:
   • Borussia Dortmund: 6 (Sokratis Papastathopoulos 19′, Robert Lewandowski 22′, 54′, 72′, Marco Reus 23′, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 81′)
   • VfB Stuttgart: 1 (Karim Haggui 13′)
2. Possession:
   • Borussia Dortmund controlled the game with 59% possession, while VfB Stuttgart had 41%. Dortmund’s ability to maintain possession allowed them to dominate the match and continuously pressure Stuttgart’s defense.
3. Shots:
   • Borussia Dortmund registered 18 shots, with 10 on target, demonstrating their efficiency in front of goal. VfB Stuttgart managed 8 shots, with 3 on target, but struggled to create meaningful chances after their early goal.
4. Passing Accuracy:
   • Borussia Dortmund had a passing accuracy of 83%, completing 513 passes out of 618 attempts. VfB Stuttgart had a passing accuracy of 72%, completing 301 passes out of 419 attempts. Dortmund’s superior passing and ball retention helped them control the tempo and break down Stuttgart’s defense.
5. Defensive Statistics:
   • Borussia Dortmund made 14 tackles compared to VfB Stuttgart’s 23, reflecting Stuttgart’s efforts to disrupt Dortmund’s play and regain possession. Dortmund’s defense, led by Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Mats Hummels, was effective in neutralizing Stuttgart’s attack after conceding the opening goal.
6. Set Pieces:
   • VfB Stuttgart took an early lead in the 13th minute when Karim Haggui headed in from a corner, giving the visitors a brief advantage. However, Dortmund quickly responded, with Sokratis equalizing in the 19th minute with a header from a corner. Robert Lewandowski then scored a quick-fire brace in the 22nd and 54th minutes, while Marco Reus added another goal in the 23rd minute. Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capped off the scoring with a goal in the 81st minute.
7. Individual Performances:
   • Robert Lewandowski was the standout performer for Borussia Dortmund, scoring a hat-trick and leading the attack with his movement and clinical finishing. Marco Reus also had an excellent game, scoring one goal and providing assists. Sokratis Papastathopoulos was solid in defense and contributed with a goal. For VfB Stuttgart, Karim Haggui scored their only goal but was unable to prevent the onslaught from Dortmund.
8. Tactical Overview:
   • Borussia Dortmund, managed by Jürgen Klopp, used a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high pressing and quick transitions. VfB Stuttgart, under Thomas Schneider, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation but struggled to cope with Dortmund’s intensity and rapid attacking play. Dortmund’s tactics were highly effective, overwhelming Stuttgart, especially after the equalizer.
9. Disciplinary:
   • The match saw three yellow cards, all for VfB Stuttgart (Christian Gentner 40′, Timo Werner 45′, Antonio Rüdiger 78′). The fouls were mainly tactical, aimed at breaking up Dortmund’s play and preventing further goals.
10. Corners and Offsides:
    • Borussia Dortmund won 6 corners compared to VfB Stuttgart’s 3, reflecting their territorial dominance and sustained pressure in the final third. Dortmund were caught offside twice, while Stuttgart had 3 offside calls, as both teams attempted to push forward and create scoring opportunities.

Summary

Borussia Dortmund’s 6-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart was a commanding display of attacking football, with Robert Lewandowski playing a central role by scoring a hat-trick. Despite conceding an early goal, Dortmund quickly responded and took control of the match, scoring six unanswered goals to secure an emphatic win.

The result highlighted Dortmund’s attacking prowess and tactical discipline under Jürgen Klopp, as they overwhelmed Stuttgart with their high-intensity pressing and quick transitions. Marco Reus and Sokratis Papastathopoulos were also key contributors, with Reus scoring and assisting, and Sokratis solidifying the defense while also getting on the scoresheet.

For VfB Stuttgart, the match started promisingly with an early goal, but they were unable to handle Dortmund’s relentless pressure and suffered a heavy defeat. The loss reflected the gap in quality between the two sides, with Dortmund’s superiority evident throughout the match.

This victory was crucial for Borussia Dortmund as they continued their pursuit of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race. The match is remembered for Lewandowski’s hat-trick and Dortmund’s ability to turn the game around after going behind early.