Hoffenheim end Borussia Dortmund's perfect start to the season

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:12 am
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the talent and tactical diversity to replace Diego Costa in Antonio Conte's system.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the talent and tactical diversity to replace Diego Costa in Antonio Conte's system.
AP

Borussia Dortmund failed to win for the first time this season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hoffenheim.

Sebastian Rudy gave the under-pressure Markus Gisdol something to smile about on the Hoffenheim bench just before half-time, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brought Thomas Tuchel's men level.

With the goal, Aubameyang became the first player in Bundesliga history to score in each of his club's first six games in a season.

Dortmund could not craft a winner as their 11-game winning streak came to an end, leaving them two points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Dortmund looked keen to respond to Bayern's 5-1 win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday night, aware that only a win by two goals or more would see them return to the top of the pile.

Marco Reus was not looking as sharp as he has done all season, however, and a few promising attacks were not completed as the Germany international fought more with himself than his opponents.

Hoffenheim were still under pressure but rarely did they look like conceding, although they did look like scoring 10 minutes before half-time when Kevin Volland chose to shoot instead of pass to Rudy, who was in an arguably better position.

Rudy was served the ball by Eduardo Vargas just before the interval, and he showed what he could do with it, beating Roman Burki with a shot that went in off the inside of the far post.

Hoffenheim started the second half strongly but it was during their best spell of the game that Dortmund levelled.

Gonzalo Castro, given a rare start by Tuchel, chested the ball down to Aubameyang, who smashed the ball in as he went to ground for his seventh goal of the season.

The goal changed the game once again, giving Dortmund confidence and convincing the hosts to retreat and try to preserve their point.

Shinji Kagawa, Castro and Ilkay Gundogan all wasted excellent opportunities with Ermin Bicakcic going close at the other end.

Adrian Ramos wasted Dortmund's last chance as time ran out for the Westphalians.