- Borussia Dortmund misery continued with defeat away to Stuttgart
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was absent after being suspected by the club
- Chadrac Akolo opened the scoring after capitalising on a Dortmund blunder
- The visitors equalised through Maximilian Philip, who struck a penalty rebound
- Josip Brekalo restored Stuttgart’s lead with a fine solo strike in the second half
- Dortmund are now yet to register a Bundesliga victory since September 30
Borussia Dortmund’s misery doesn’t look like ending soon, following an away defeat to Stuttgart in a match in which the club had been forced to suspend their own striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The club’s fast-fading Bundesliga title hopes suffered another crushing blow as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat, despite briefly clawing back hope with a second half equaliser.
Dortmund now have just one point from their last five league matches and head into Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Tottenham with only one competitive win – against third-tier Magdeburg in the cup – since September.
Josip Brekalo restored Stuttgart’s lead with a fine solo effort in the second half to make it 2-1
The Croatian celebrated with the home fans as dejected Dortmund defenders stood around
Andre Schurrle saw his penalty missed after trying to restore the scoreline from 12 yards
Thankfully Maxilian Philipp was on hand to react and tuck the ball home to level the scoreline
They were the architects of their own downfall at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, giving the hosts an opening goal following a terrible mix-up between Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Buerki and defender Marc Bartra gifting Chadrac Akolo the opener after just five minutes.
The striker gladly accepted the gift, rounding on the goal to tap the ball into an empty net before making his way back through a red-faced back line.
The visitors then almost spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise in first-half stoppage time when Andre Schurrle – taking over penalty duties following Aubameyang’s suspension disciplinary reasons – saw his spot-kick saved by Ron-Robert Zieler.
Aubameyang’s persistent breaking of club rules came to boiling point earlier in the week when he conducted an unauthorised filming session on club training ground property, with Red Bull sponsored freestyler Sean Garnier.
Chadrac Akolo had a simple tap-in to open the scoring after a Dortmund defensive blunder
The striker looked fortunate for the gifted chance after putting his side ahead in the contest
Dortmund were without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after his club disciplinary suspension
Fortunately for Schurrle, Maximilian Philipp was quickest to react and he coolly slotted the loose ball into the near top corner to make it 1-1.
That was not enough to save Peter Bosz’s side, though, with Stuttgart netting the winning goal six minutes into the second half through substitute Josip Brekalo.
Brekalo, who replaced goalscorer Akolo at the interval, capped off a fine solo effort by drilling home a low shot after being put clear by Berkay Ozcan.
Stuttgart have now made it 16 points from a possible 18 at home this season, while Dortmund now stare down the barrel of four defeats in their last five games.