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Borussia Dortmund vs. Schalke 04 – Bundesliga – October 20, 2012

On October 20, 2012, Borussia Dortmund faced Schalke 04 in the Ruhr Derby, one of the most heated rivalries in German football, at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Schalke 04 secured a significant 2-1 victory, dealing a blow to Dortmund in front of their home crowd.

Key Statistics and Analysis

  1. Scoreline and Goal Timings:
    • Borussia Dortmund: 1 (Robert Lewandowski 55′)
    • Schalke 04: 2 (Ibrahim Afellay 14′, Marco Höger 48′)
  2. Possession:
    • Borussia Dortmund had 63% possession, while Schalke 04 had 37%. Despite Dortmund’s dominance in possession, Schalke’s effective counter-attacking and defensive discipline were crucial in their victory.
  3. Shots:
    • Borussia Dortmund registered 20 shots, with 6 on target, reflecting their attempts to break down Schalke’s defense. Schalke 04 managed 9 shots, with 4 on target, making the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
  4. Passing Accuracy:
    • Borussia Dortmund had a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 536 passes out of 638 attempts. Schalke 04 had a passing accuracy of 73%, completing 219 passes out of 299 attempts. Dortmund’s superior passing statistics highlight their control of the ball, but Schalke’s more direct approach proved more effective.
  5. Defensive Statistics:
    • Borussia Dortmund made 17 tackles compared to Schalke 04’s 26, reflecting Schalke’s defensive efforts to disrupt Dortmund’s rhythm and protect their lead. Schalke’s defense, led by Benedikt Höwedes and Kyriakos Papadopoulos, was crucial in withstanding Dortmund’s pressure.
  6. Set Pieces:
    • Schalke 04 took the lead in the 14th minute through Ibrahim Afellay, who finished clinically after a quick break. Marco Höger doubled Schalke’s lead early in the second half, in the 48th minute, with a composed finish following another swift counter-attack. Dortmund pulled one back in the 55th minute when Robert Lewandowski scored with a header after a cross from Marco Reus. Despite Dortmund’s pressure, Schalke held on to secure the win.
  7. Individual Performances:
    • For Schalke 04, Ibrahim Afellay and Marco Höger were standout performers, each scoring a goal and contributing defensively. Goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall also made several important saves to deny Dortmund. For Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski was their most effective player, scoring their only goal, while Marco Reus was a constant threat on the wing.
  8. Tactical Overview:
    • Borussia Dortmund, managed by Jürgen Klopp, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high pressing and quick transitions. Schalke 04, under Huub Stevens, also used a 4-2-3-1 formation, but they were more defensive, focusing on counter-attacks and set pieces. Schalke’s tactics were highly effective, particularly in exploiting the spaces left by Dortmund when they pushed forward.
  9. Disciplinary:
    • The match saw three yellow cards, one for Borussia Dortmund (Mats Hummels 80′) and two for Schalke 04 (Jermaine Jones 40′, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 78′). The fouls were mainly tactical, aimed at disrupting the opponent’s play and breaking up attacks.
  10. Corners and Offsides:
    • Borussia Dortmund won 7 corners compared to Schalke 04’s 2, reflecting their sustained pressure, especially after falling behind. Dortmund were caught offside 4 times, while Schalke were caught offside once, showing both teams’ attempts to break through defensive lines.

Summary

Schalke 04’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Ruhr Derby was a significant result that demonstrated Schalke’s resilience and tactical discipline. Despite Dortmund’s dominance in possession and their numerous attempts on goal, Schalke’s defensive organization and clinical counter-attacks were key to their success.

Ibrahim Afellay and Marco Höger’s goals gave Schalke a crucial lead, and despite Robert Lewandowski’s goal that gave Dortmund hope, Schalke managed to hold on for an important victory. The result was particularly painful for Dortmund, as it came at home and against their fierce rivals.

For Borussia Dortmund, the defeat highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities, particularly when exposed to quick counter-attacks. Despite their best efforts, including a strong performance from Lewandowski and Reus, they were unable to break down Schalke’s stubborn defense.

The match was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two clubs, with Schalke 04 coming out on top in this fiercely contested derby. The victory gave Schalke a significant boost in their Bundesliga campaign, while Dortmund were left to regroup and refocus on the challenges ahead.

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