Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Mainz: What Were The Key Talking Points As BVB Suffer An Infamous Bundesliga Collapse And Throw Away A First Domestic Crown In 11 Years?

Suffering a remarkable physiological collapse on Saturday afternoon, Borussia Dortmund missed out on the chance to claim a first Bundesliga crown in 11 years as they had to settle for an infamous 2-2 draw against Mainz.

While the German giants might have known that three points would have been enough to drag them to a first Bundesliga title since 2012, Edin Terzic’s side simply now face a huge amount of scrutiny.

Slumping to a remarkable 2-0 deficit when heading into the half-time break as Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Karim Oniswio stunned Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund’s collapse on Saturday afternoon was also enough to hand Bayern Munich the chance to get their hands on an 11th straight domestic crown.

With Sebastian Haller missing from the penalty spot just five minutes before Mainz doubled their lead, even Dortmund’s second-half comeback will not cover an infamous day in their history.

While Raphael Guerreiro and Niklas Sule might have set up a grandstand finish in rural Germany, Terzic’s heartbroken squad will be more than aware that they missed out on the chance of a lifetime in front of their own supporters.

On an afternoon when Borussia Dortmund collapsed at the final hurdle, we have taken a look at the key talking points from a remarkable stalemate at Signal Iduna Park.

One of the most infamous afternoons in Dortmund’s history

While Dortmund might have mounted a second-half comeback on Saturday afternoon, nothing will cover what will be remembered as one of the most infamous occasions in BVB’s history.

Backed by a party atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park and knowing that just one more Bundesliga victory would be enough to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2012, Terzic’s side had history within their grasp.

Opening their return to rural Germany in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run and really finding a clinical edge in the final third since returning from March’s international break, all the stars had aligned for Dortmund.

However, suffering a public phycological collapse on home soil and knowing that they will now face a huge backlash over the coming weeks, Terzic’s heartbroken squad will take some time to mentally recover from their historic slip-up.

Almost handing Bayern Munich a record-breaking 11th consecutive Bundesliga crown on a silver platter, it is hard to think of a better opportunity BVB will get.

Crashing back down to earth and failing to drag themselves over the finish line when the pressure was really on, there could also be some questions over Terzic’s future at Signal Iduna Park.

Mainz claim what was a historic boost in rural Germany

Making the trip to rural Germany on Saturday afternoon after being last seen getting hit with a 4-1 drumming at home against Stuttgart, it almost felt like Mainz were the sacrificial lambs here.

Losing each of their last four Bundesliga appearances prior to their season finale, it was no secret that Bo Svensson’s side were tipped as a landslide underdog this weekend.

However, although the Carnival Club might have shown a string of defensive issues over the past month, there is no doubt that Saturday’s remarkable 2-2 draw will be long-remembered as one of Germany’s most infamous showdowns.

Although many expected that Mainz would simply be blown away on an afternoon when Dortmund were supposed to get their hands on a first Bundesliga title in 11 years, Svensson’s side will certainly gained plenty of new fans in Munich.

Storming their way to a stunning 2-0 lead heading into the half-time break, the Reds have also proven that they’re capable of springing a heavyweight upset.

Claiming what was a famous 3-1 victory at home against Bayern Munich on April 22nd, Mainz have also claimed wins against the likes of RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen since opening 2023.

A goodbye to Germany for Bellingham?

While the whole of Dortmund’s squad might have collapsed to their knees following Saturday’s full-time whistle, Jude Bellingham cut a particularly devastated figure.

Forced to once again miss out here after picking up a muscle injury earlier in the month, the England international had made it his mission to drag BVB to a first domestic crown in over a decade.

Only going from strength to strength since being appointed Dortmund’s captain this season, the former Birmingham starlet has now cemented his spot as one of Europe’s most sort after midfield properties.

While Bellingham might not have got his fairytale ending on Saturday afternoon and eventually ended the 2022/23 campaign with some notorious heartbreak, it has been all but confirmed that the 19-year-old will be set for a blockbuster move this summer.

Although the Dortmund hierarchy might have made it clear that they want their midfield talisman to extend his stay at Signal Iduna Park, it appears that Bellingham is inching towards a stunning move to Spanish icons Real Madrid.

Match Report

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Wolf, Sule, Hummels, Ryerson, Malen, Brandt, Can, Guerreiro, Adeyemi, Haller

Subs: Moukoko, Modeste, Reyna, Duranville, Reus

Mainz: Dahmen, Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes, Caci, Barreiro, Kohr, Martin, Stach, Lee Jae-sung, Onisiwo

Subs: Barkok, Ingvartsen, Mustapha

Goals: Borussia Dortmund: Guerreiro (69’), Sule (90+6’) – Mainz: Hanche-Olsen (15’), Lee Jae-sung (24’)

Yellow Cards: Borussia Dortmund: Guerreiro – Mainz: Fernandes

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Marco Fritz