Brandt and Beier propel Dortmund to second place in Bundesliga

Brandt and Beier propel Dortmund to second place in Bundesliga
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Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier scored the goals that secured Borussia Dortmund a tense 2-0 victory against Borussia Moenchengladbach at home on Friday, moving them up to second position in the Bundesliga standings.

Dortmund took the lead early through Brandt, yet the team, which has lost several points while ahead this campaign, found it hard to hold on to their advantage once more.

With 10 minutes left, young Gladbach midfielder Wael Mohya prompted a quick reaction save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, until Beier clinched the win in added time at the end.

This result positioned Dortmund six points adrift of table toppers Bayern Munich and three points ahead of RB Leipzig in third, with Leipzig able to reclaim second if they beat Bayer Leverkusen at home on Saturday.

Heading into the fixture, Dortmund boasted a record of 18 wins in their last 19 home games versus Gladbach.

Gio Reyna, the former Dortmund midfielder and US international, made his return to Westfalenstadion since his summer switch to Gladbach.

Given only his second Bundesliga start this season, defender Niklas Suele set up Dortmunds first goal by delivering a cross that Brandt volleyed in after 10 minutes.

Brandt, who is in excellent form, notched his fourth goal across his previous three matches with that strike.

Suele, frequently questioned over his stamina and effort, made a vital intervention to block a shot from Florian Neuhaus with a superb tackle towards the end of the first half.

Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy, scoreless in nine of his last 10 league outings, seemed to have extended the lead shortly after halftime when he netted, but the flag was up for offside.

Gladbachs 16-year-old midfielder Mohya, fresh off his senior debut last week, nearly equalised soon after entering the pitch, though Kobel tipped his effort onto the bar.

Deep in added time, in the seventh minute, Beier finished from near the goal line after a pass from substitute Fabio Silva, confirming the points for Dortmund.