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Played
February 18, 2012 9:30 AM EST
Olympiastadion Berlin — Berlin
Referee: M. Fritz
Attendance: 74244
February 18, 2012 9:30 AM EST
Olympiastadion Berlin — Berlin
Referee: M. Fritz
Attendance: 74244
Top of the Match
Thomas Kraft
Hertha BSC
Hertha BSC
Jakub Blaszczykowski
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Flop of the Match
Mats Hummels
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
L. Barrios
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Hertha Berlin 0-1 Dortmund: Grosskreutz volley seals three points
The Bundesliga title holder did just enough to claim victory in the German capital, as the winger's overhead volley made the difference on the day.
By Clark Whitney
Getty Images
An under staffed Borussia Dortmund side fought off stiff opposition from Hertha Berlin on Saturday, earning a 1-0 win at the Olympiastadion.
With Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze sidelined, and Lukasz Piszczek forced off at halftime, Jurgen Klopp's side overcame the odds as it handed a sixth consecutive defeat to the home side.
Nearly three quarters of the match passed with limited chances on goal, but Kevin Grosskreutz put the visitors ahead on 66 minutes and BVB held on to claim three points and maintain its spot atop the Bundesliga table.
Neither side looked like scoring in the first half and chances were few and far between. Lukasz Piszczek did well to cross from the end line on eight minutes, but Lucas Barrios wasted the full back's cross with a header that Thomas Kraft easily claimed.
On the half hour mark, the BVB pair combined again, but Barrios tripped over the ball and it was again easy work for the Hertha goalkeeper to claim.
Hertha nearly opened the scoring on 36 minutes as Mats Hummels was dispossessed in his own penalty area by Raffael, but Roman Weidenfeller made a strong challenge to deny the Brazilian. Moments later, there was a goalmouth scrap at the opposite end, but Barrios had a shot blocked and danger was averted.
Piszczek was again close to creating an opportunity on the stroke of halftime, as Robert Lewandowski played him in on goal, but Kraft was quick off his line to block the full back's attempt. Piszczek was injured in the process and would not return in the second half.
After the break, Dortmund's lapses in concentration continued at the defensive end, as Neven Subotic and Hummels both had slip-ups that led to chances for Patrick Ebert. The right winger received a well-weighted pass from Adrian Ramos on 50 minutes before flashing an attempt wide of the far post and three minutes later had a similar result.
Hertha would rue the missed chances as Dortmund would instead be first to score. Jakub Blaszczykowski crossed to Lewandowski, whose header was brilliantly saved by Kraft, but rebounded off the bar. Grosskreutz was first to the ball and struck an overhead volley past the Hertha No. 1 and into the net.
Entering the final stages of the game, the home side looked dangerous and would not give up hope. Raffael was through on goal with 15 minutes left to play, but stumbled and back-heeled a pass when no teammate had followed his run.
The win sees Dortmund remain first in the Bundesliga, regardless of other results, but comes at a cost as Piszczek joins Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze on the club's injury list. Hertha remains 15th, just two points ahead of the relegation zone.
With Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze sidelined, and Lukasz Piszczek forced off at halftime, Jurgen Klopp's side overcame the odds as it handed a sixth consecutive defeat to the home side.
Nearly three quarters of the match passed with limited chances on goal, but Kevin Grosskreutz put the visitors ahead on 66 minutes and BVB held on to claim three points and maintain its spot atop the Bundesliga table.
Neither side looked like scoring in the first half and chances were few and far between. Lukasz Piszczek did well to cross from the end line on eight minutes, but Lucas Barrios wasted the full back's cross with a header that Thomas Kraft easily claimed.
On the half hour mark, the BVB pair combined again, but Barrios tripped over the ball and it was again easy work for the Hertha goalkeeper to claim.
Hertha nearly opened the scoring on 36 minutes as Mats Hummels was dispossessed in his own penalty area by Raffael, but Roman Weidenfeller made a strong challenge to deny the Brazilian. Moments later, there was a goalmouth scrap at the opposite end, but Barrios had a shot blocked and danger was averted.
Piszczek was again close to creating an opportunity on the stroke of halftime, as Robert Lewandowski played him in on goal, but Kraft was quick off his line to block the full back's attempt. Piszczek was injured in the process and would not return in the second half.
After the break, Dortmund's lapses in concentration continued at the defensive end, as Neven Subotic and Hummels both had slip-ups that led to chances for Patrick Ebert. The right winger received a well-weighted pass from Adrian Ramos on 50 minutes before flashing an attempt wide of the far post and three minutes later had a similar result.
Hertha would rue the missed chances as Dortmund would instead be first to score. Jakub Blaszczykowski crossed to Lewandowski, whose header was brilliantly saved by Kraft, but rebounded off the bar. Grosskreutz was first to the ball and struck an overhead volley past the Hertha No. 1 and into the net.
Entering the final stages of the game, the home side looked dangerous and would not give up hope. Raffael was through on goal with 15 minutes left to play, but stumbled and back-heeled a pass when no teammate had followed his run.
The win sees Dortmund remain first in the Bundesliga, regardless of other results, but comes at a cost as Piszczek joins Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze on the club's injury list. Hertha remains 15th, just two points ahead of the relegation zone.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
29 | 6 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
26 | 4 |
|
Robert Lewandowski
Striker Borussia Dortmund |
22 | 0 |
|
Lukas Podolski
Striker FC Koln |
18 | 3 |
|
Claudio Pizarro
Striker Werder Bremen |
18 | 2 |