The trip to Augsburg was a stark reminder that the Bundesliga was a league of relentless challenges.
The SGL arena, though smaller than the Westfalenstadion, was a cauldron of noise, the home fans creating a hostile, intimidating atmosphere. Augsburg, a team known for its physicality and fighting spirit, was determined to make life difficult for the reigning champions.
From the first whistle, the match was a scrappy, attritional affair. Augsburg pressed high, closed down space, and committed to every tackle with ferocious intensity.
Dortmund, accustomed to controlling the tempo and dominating possession, struggled to find their rhythm. Passes went astray, touches were heavy, and the fluid, attacking football that had dismantled Leverkusen was nowhere to be seen.
