Jürgen Klopp’s side knew coming into this game that they would lead the Bundesliga through the winter break. Despite an average first half (by their very high standards) that may have led some to believe that BVB were getting complacent, Dortmund were much improved after the interval and earned a deserved 2-0 victory thanks to a late goal by Robert Lewandowski. The league leaders are now ten points clear of second-place Mainz, and have won all eight of their matches away from the Westfalenstadion this season.
Borussia Dortmund Celebrate Herbstmeisterschaft With 2-0 Win Over Nürnberg
Although Dortmund were far better in the second half, Nürnberg had some chances early on after the break. The best of them fell to Julian Schieber on fifty-four minutes - he was one-on-one against Weidenfeller but opted to square for the onrushing Robert Mak, allowing Marcel Schmelzer to clear. BVB were largely in control after that spurned opportunity, and Lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa both had opportunities to double Dortmund’s lead. Despite holding just a one-goal advantage, the visitors stayed composed as the half wore on and were rewarded with the second goal they’d been looking for on eighty-eight minutes. A brilliant interchange of short passes around the edge of the penalty area between Nuri Sahin, Mario Götze, and Antonio da Silva (who had come on for Kagawa) ended with the latter laying the ball off for Lewandowski to slice past Raphael Schäfer, his fifth goal of the campaign in just his first start.
Not only does the victory stretch Dortmund’s advantage at the top, but it will give Klopp renewed confidence in the depth of his team. Lewandowski, as mentioned at halftime, had a very solid game filling in for Lucas Barrios, and da Silva showed his quality in the waning minutes again. For Nürnberg, the defeat is their fourth in succession, and they have fallen to eleventh in the table.
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