on target as Borussia Dortmund beat Hoffenheim
2-1 in a dramatic encounter to steal a march on
their rivals in the race for automatic Champions
League qualification.
The two sides have been jostling over third place in
the Bundesliga, which guarantees entry into the
Champions League group stages, for much of the
season and this was a typically action-packed
affair at Signal Iduna Park.
Reus was involved in much of the drama, breaking
the deadlock in contentious circumstances, while
also picking up a booking that could have been red
and winning a first-half penalty that Aubameyang
scuffed poorly wide.
Aubameyang made amends with what proved to be
a crucial second goal in the 82nd minute to derail
Hoffenheim's momentum, although the hosts
withstood a nervy ending when Julian
Nagelsmann's men hit back through Andrej
Kramaric's spot-kick.
However, Hoffenheim, this season's surprise
package, could not complete the comeback and
now sit two points below Dortmund in fourth
position with two matches remaining.
It means Hoffenheim require a favour from either
Augsburg or Werder Bremen - opponents for both
Dortmund and Hoffenheim - if they are to avoid
going into the Champions League play-off round.
It took just four minutes for Reus to fire Dortmund
in front, the Germany international running in
behind on the left - setting off from a seemingly
offside position - and sliding a finish through
Oliver Baumann's legs.
Reus, who was sent off in the reverse fixture in
December, was then perhaps fortunate to only see
yellow as he lashed out at Steven Zuber near the
right-hand touchline.
Hoffenheim's frustration with the officials was
heightened after 13 minutes as referee Felix Brych
pointed to the spot after Reus' cross from the left
struck Pavel Kaderabek's arm, but Aubameyang
screwed the penalty horribly wide.
With the profligacy of the home forward keeping
Hoffenheim in an already hot-tempered affair,
Nagelsmann's side sought a swift response and
Sandro Wagner nodded straight at Roman Burki.
However, the game's frantic start soon gave way to
a more measured spell, reaching half-time without
further major incident as both sides lacked fluency
in the final third.
Hoffenheim started the second period on the front
foot and Kerem Demirbay forced Burki into an
unorthodox save with a strike from distance, but
the visitors' attacking intent left space at the back
for Dortmund to exploit.
Only a smart reaction stop from Baumann denied
Reus a second with a fine left-footed volley, before
Matthias Ginter drilled an effort over the top.
Reus also lacked accuracy from a good position
inside the area, but Dortmund did double their lead
with eight minutes remaining when Raphael
Guerreiro toe-poked Lukasz Piszczek's centre
against the post and Aubameyang was unmarked
to turn the rebound into the net and atone for his
earlier miss.
But, just as Dortmund looked set to cruise through
the remaining minutes, Ginter dragged Wagner to
the ground in the box and handed Kramaric an
opportunity that he, unlike Aubameyang, would not
pass up.
Dortmund saw out the final stages safely, though,
as Hoffenheim were unable to spoil the day for
Thomas Tuchel's side.
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