Borussia Dortmund 2 : 2 VfB Stuttgart - Immobile steals late Dortmund point

Posted Thursday, September 25, 2014 by PA

Borussia Dortmund came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against winless Stuttgart for a point which does neither side much good.

Daniel Didavi scored twice for Stuttgart, who seemed to be heading for their first three points of the season on the day director of sport Fredi Bobic was relieved of his duties, but they were unable to defend their lead.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled a goal back for Dortmund in the 73rd minute with Ciro Immobile levelling five minutes from time.

There was enough drama in the Stuttgart camp even before kick-off with Bobic relieved of his duties before the team arrived at the Westfalenstadion.

There had been growing calls for Bobic to be dismissed from the club's fans during the first four games of the season, but to be relieved of his duties before kick-off on Wednesday night was unexpected.

It did not appear to have a negative effect on the team, though, as they put up some brave resistance, albeit without creating any danger of their own.

It was not until the 33rd minute when Dortmund finally managed to find some space in the Stuttgart penalty area, but Shinji Kagawa lifted his shot onto the top of the crossbar.

Having successfully survived the first 45 minutes, Stuttgart came out of their shells slightly at the start of the second half and they took the lead through Didavi, who was put into position to shoot by Christian Gentner after Immobile gifted him possession.

It was another defensive mistake which led to Stuttgart doubling their lead in the 69th minute with Schmelzer leaving Timo Werner in too much room, and when he decided to attack the Stuttgart forward, he then left Didavi all alone to place a shot past Roman Weidenfeller from six yards out.

Stuttgart's joy was short-lived with Aubameyang skipping past Sven Ulreich to bring Dortmund back to within a goal less than five minutes later as the Stuttgart defence was caught napping.

Schmelzer and Immobile both then made up for their earlier errors to bring Dortmund level with five minutes to go.

The Germany full-back's free-kick found the Italian beyond the far post, and he volleyed into the unguarded goal with Ulreich off his line trying to intercept the cross, earning Dortmund a point.