Marco Reus (L) of Dortmund vies with Orel Mangala of Stuttgart during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
BERLIN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways after easing 2-0 past relegation threatened Stuttgart thanks to the brace from substitute Julian Brandt at the curtain raiser of the 29th round on Friday.
The BVB caught a bright start on the road although injured Giovanni Reyna had to be replaced by Brandt with just two minutes into the clash.
The early substitution didn't disrupt Dortmund's flow as Raphael Guerreiro rattled the woodwork with a hammering volley with nine minutes gone.
Dortmund's powerful start got rewarded three minutes later when Erling Haaland squared into the path of Brandt, who tapped home from very close range.
Stuttgart almost shocked Dortmund out of the blue but Tiago Tomas' chipped the ball over the target and onrushing goalkeeper Gregor Kobel from very tight angle in the 23rd minute.
Tomas kept Dortmund's defence busy but lacked in accuracy as the Sporting loanee pulled wide from the edge of the box, seven minutes into the second half.
Dortmund still controlled the proceedings but had to wait until the hour mark to produce its next clear-cut opportunity as Marco Reus missed the target narrowly wide.
Resilient Stuttgart kept it bowling and hit the crossbar moments later after Borna Sosa unleashed a dangerous shot following his solo run.
The visitors eventually broke Stuttgart's resistance in the 71st minute when Brandt wrapped up his brace, allowing the BVB to close the gap to front runners Bayern Munich to six points.
"I am happy with the result. We had to fight but we accepted the challenge. I think it is a deserved away victory. It was an interesting game as we gave away golden chances but still, we won," said Dortmund coach Marco Rose.
"If you lose you are always disappointed. We had our chances. It is a bitter defeat for us, but you must make the most of your chances to beat Dortmund," said Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Materazzo. ■
Julian Brandt (L) of Dortmund vies with Atakan Karazor of Stuttgart during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Erling Haaland (L) of Dortmund competes during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Players of Dortmund celebrate scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Julian Brandt of Dortmund celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Mats Hummels (L) of Dortmund vies with Omar Marmoush of Stuttgart during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund in Stuttgart, Germany, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
