Dortmund beats Leipzig 2-1 to retake Bundesliga lead

By: Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press Posted: 4:16 PM CST Friday, Mar. 3, 2023 Last Modified: 4:32 PM CST Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

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BERLIN (AP) — Captain Marco Reus scored again in a 2-1 win over Leipzig that lifted Borussia Dortmund three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday and preserved its winning start to 2023.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/03/2023 (1310 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Reus converted a penalty in the 21st minute and Emre Can got the second goal in the 39th for Dortmund’s 10th win from 10 games across all competitions this year. It’s the best record for any team across Europe’s top five leagues in 2023.

Bayern Munich, which was leading on goal difference from Dortmund, can reclaim top spot on Saturday with a win at relegation-threatened Stuttgart.

Dortmund's Marco Reus scores a penalty, the opening goal, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Reus’ 159th goal for Dortmund altogether matched Michael Zorc’s record for the club. Only Adi Preißler, who scored 177 for Dortmund in two stints from 1946 to 1959, has more.

But Dortmund needed reserve goalkeeper Alexander Meyer to preserve Friday’s win with a stoppage-time save from Emil Forsberg, just after Nico Schlotterbeck denied Timo Werner an equalizer with his shoulder.

“In the end, naturally, I’d rather win than play well and lose,” Reus said, referring to the Dortmund of previous seasons.

Dortmund coach Edin Terzić was forced into a late change to his lineup when goalkeeper Gregor Kobel complained of a muscular problem. Meyer made his fifth league appearance of the season.

The in-form Julian Brandt thought he opened the scoring with a fine finish in the 13th, but the goal was ruled out through VAR after the ball brushed his arm. Brandt had scored in his previous four games.

Reus took his chance from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.

Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, celebrates with Dortmund's Salih Ozcan after scoring a penalty, the opening goal, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Can then had the aid of a deflection as he rewarded Dortmund’s dominance with the second goal.

Leipzig forced Dortmund back after the break and the visitor’s pressure finally paid off in the 74th when Forsberg slid in to convert David Raum’s cross at the far post. Meyer and Schlotterbeck prevented any more.

“We played a really good game in the first half and defended with all we’ve got in the second,” Terzić said. “It’s annoying that it got close at the end but we took it on.” ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports