SAVE! A late corner for Dortmund sees Sergio Gomez whip a delivery into the box, where Sahin rises to head at goal but sees his effort punched away by the diving Zieler.
88'
O. Mangala enters the game and replaces S. Ascacíbar.
Stuttgart follow by making their last change, replacing Ascacibar with Mangala.
87'
Sergio Gómez enters the game and replaces M. Reus.
Final change of the afternoon for Dortmund, as Reus' return from injury is ended early. Sergio Gomez is on in his place.
86'
WHAT A HIT! That just shows it hasn't been Stuttgart's day, as Gomez's stunning strike from distance clatters back off the crossbar.
84'
A significant result too for Dortmund, who will move six points clear of fifth-placed Leverkusen. They face RB Leipzig tomorrow night so it could be a crucial gap that is emerging.
82'
The fans at Dortmund are renowned for their passion and they're back on side now, following a much better second-half performance from their side.
80'
J. Sancho enters the game and replaces M. Philipp.
Late change for Dortmund, who introduce Sancho for Philipp.
78'
Stuttgart win a corner after a rare push forward in the second half but it comes to nothing. Dortmund, meanwhile, still look like they want more goals.
76'
CHANCE! Batshuayi weaves his way through the defence, finding room for a shot, but seeing his attempt trickle wide of the post.
74'
Tayfun Korkut on course for his first defeat as Stuttgart boss. His appointment has led to a miraculous improvement for the club but it hasn't gone his way this afternoon.
Minute
Description
72'
SAVE! I'm not sure Zieler knew much about that! Pulisic cuts inside the defender and onto his right foot, then attempting to chip the goalkeeper but seeing it bounce off the goalkeeper and behind for a corner.
70'
S. Ascacíbar gets yellow.
Cynical foul from Ginczek, who earns a booking.
68'
B. Özcan enters the game and replaces D. Aogo.
Another change for Stuttgart, who replace Aogo with Ozcan.
67'
I don't expect Dortmund to take their foot off the gas after their hammering last weekend. Toljan, who's just come on, sees a cross punched away by Zieler at the near post. Taking lessons off Pulisic perhaps? It certainly wasn't intended as a shot.
65'
Philipp may struggle to keep that goal on his record, as further replays show a hefty deflection. It's one for the dubious goals panel but I reckon that will go down as an own goal.
64'
J. Toljan enters the game and replaces M. Schmelzer.
Dortmund change, as Toljan is introduced in place of Schmelzer.
61'
This game is certainly beyond Stuttgart now, who are set to see their eight-game unbeaten run come to a close. They were the better team in the first half but didn't do enough to cause their hosts problems.
59'
M. Philipp has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund!
GOAL! A smart stop by Zieler initially to prevent Philipp, pushing the ball away down his left, but the rebound fell to the winger and he tucked home. Dortmund now cruising.
58'
M. Gómez gets yellow.
Gomez hustled by Pulisic and loses out in that battle, earning a yellow card for pulling the American back to prevent a counter.
57'
J. Bruun Larsen enters the game and replaces E. Thommy.
Something needs to give for Stuttgart, so they turn to a Dortmund man. Larsen, on-loan from the hosts, replaces Thommy.
56'
D. Aogo gets yellow.
Aogo misses the ball lunging in on Piszczek, earning his fourth yellow card of the season.
54'
If it stays like this, it's also a great result for any neutral fans as it adds further fuel to the fire in next weekend's bitter battle between Dortmund and Schalke. As it stands, Stoger's men trail their great rivals by just a single point ahead of the Revierderby.
52'
Now a very smokey scene in Dortmund, as the flares have been lit in the crowd. Finally, the passionate supporters have something to shout about.
50'
Hopefully that will release Peter Stoger's side from their shackles. It really hasn't been a great performance but extending their lead so soon after the restart is a massive boost.
48'
M. Batshuayi has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund! Assist by N. Şahin.
GOAL! Brilliant, brilliant play for Dortmund who have finally found their stride! Batshuayi flicks a pass around the corner for Sahin, who cuts the ball back across goal to the Belgian striker. He makes no mistake with his finish and the hosts, finally, show their ability.
A brilliant run behind the defence from Sahin, who had the composure to pick out Batshuayi. Dortmund have their cushion!
47'
Stuttgart, seeking to extend their unbeaten run, have continued to show their attacking intent during the early exchanges of the second period. However, Dortmund show their danger on the counter as Batshuayi tries to latch onto Reus' pass forward.
45'
Stuttgart, despite impressing, have lacked creativity in the final third- which perhaps explains their low tally of goals this season.
KICK-OFF! Back underway at the Signal Iduna Park, where Dortmund get us started and now attack to the left.
43'
Pulisic has come alive since the goal, with the United States international starting to shine down the left side.
42'
M. Schmelzer gets yellow.
First yellow for Dortmund this afternoon is for Schmelzer after his clumsy challenge on Thommy.
41'
WIDE! Better from Dortmund! A superb one-two between Sahin and Reus leads to the latter finding space on the left and he cuts a shot across the face of goal.
40'
A very fortunate goal. Dortmund really haven't looked bothered at all so far today and the burden on their shoulders was getting increasingly larger. The key now is to maintain the lead until the break.
38'
C. Pulišić has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund! Assist by Ł. Piszczek.
Hardly the sort of goal that will solve all of Dortmund's problems but it does ease the pressure. Hopefully this sparks the hosts into life.
GOAL! Massive, massive relief for Dortmund! An incredibly fortunate goal as Pulisic's cross from the near side lofts over the head of Zieler, off the post and in. It's definitely not intended and it's a huge kick in the teeth for Stuttgart.
36'
Dortmund fans are growing increasingly frustrated. They really haven't seen much from their side today, who have looked short of ideas and have lacked the identity that caught the hearts of Europe a few seasons ago.
34'
Superb tackle from Sokratis to disposses Gentner, who had charged forward after Toprak's mistake. It's been a difficult game so far for the defensive duo.
32'
WIDE! From the resulting free-kick, the ball drops to Pulisic on the edge of the area and he skips into the box. His shot is never really threatening Zieler's goal but the referee did miss a deflection, awarding a goal-kick instead of a corner.
30'
A. Beck gets yellow.
First yellow card of the game is issued to Beck, who's only just returned from suspension, as he clips Reus from behind.
29'
CHANCE! Decent move for Stuttgart, where Gentner doesn't get a shot away with his favoured left foot and instead cuts a ball across the face of goal. Aogo was the man closest to it but he can't provide the decisive touch.
28'
First corner of the game for Dortmund as Philipp's shot is deflected over the bar. Reus trots across to the near side to take it but Sokratis' header in the middle is easily gobbled up by the Stuttgart defence, who then clear the ball away.
26'
CHANCE! Reus penalised for a foul around midfield, giving Stuttgart a chance to pump a ball into the middle. Gomez loses his marker and has space for a header but misses the target.
24'
Very scrappy and far too narrow for Dortmund. Pulisic and Philipp haven't seen too much of the ball, while Reus in the middle is being marked out of the game.
22'
I can't recall either goalkeeper having a save to make so far, it's mainly been a battle in the middle of the field.
20'
Very little to get excited about with Dortmund so far as it's been a poor opening 20 minutes. Stuttgart's striking pair Gomez and Ginczek are causing their opposing defenders all sorts of trouble.
16'
Better from Dortmund, as Reus tries to reverse a ball through to Batshuayi. It doesn't work out this time, although it gives encouragement for the home fans to get back on song. The yellow wall, as ever, is bouncing despite the woes this season.
14'
Stuttgart are playing with real confidence, which isn't too surprising given their form. They can sense a real chance of securing a double over Dortmund this season.
12'
A passionate start to the game from the Dortmund fans but the tide has quickly turned. Those cheers have since turned to whistles as the hosts continue to struggle to clear their lines.
9'
Dortmund a little slow off the blocks here, perhaps still enduring a hangover from last weekend. Messy defending leads to a Stuttgart corner, which is a concern to Stoger.
7'
The travelling side have performed well in the opening exchanges, knocking the ball around well. Highy-rated young defender Pavard has already seen a lot of the ball.
5'
Stuttgart haven't won in Dortmund since 2007. The man who scored the winning goal was Mario Gomez, who leads the line for the visitors today.
3'
Dortmund have a big chance today following Schalke's surprising loss to Hamburg yesterday. They currently have a three point advantage over fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, ahead of what will be a fierce end to the season. There's seven clubs fighting for three spots!
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway at the Signal Iduna Park. Stuttgart get us started, attacking the left in the first half.
In comes the corner from the far side, Ginczek clips the ball in the middle whilst falling to ground and appealing for a penalty. A corner from the other side is all that's given, which Dortmund get away eventually. However, it leads to another corner as the Stuttgart pressure continues.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Bundesliga clash between Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart, where the hosts are chasing a top-four finish and the visitors still harbour an outside chance of securing European football.
Sat third in the table, and four points behind rivals Schalke, today's game begins a very crucial week for Peter Stoger's side. A humiliating defeat to Bayern Munich last week has left a huge impact and victory is necessary today in the battle for second-spot, ahead of next week's crunch test against Schalke- in what is likely to be a straight shoot-out for the runners-up spot behind Bayern.
Stuttgart have challenges of their own in their minds though. Seven points behind the Europa League places, time is running out for the side that only earned promotion back to Germany's top-tier last summer. Their chances are slim but a memorable win here today would keep the dream alive for a few more weeks.
Dortmund XI: Roman Burki; Lukasz Piszczek, Sokratis, Omar Toprak, Marcel Schmelzer; Mahmoud Dahoud, Nuri Sahin; Christian Pulisic, Marco Reus, Maximilian Philipp; Michy Batshuayi.
Stuttgart XI: Ron-Robert Zieler; Andreas Beck, Benjamin Pavard, Holger Badstuber, Emiliano Insua; Christian Gentner, Santiago Ascabibar, Dennis Aogo, Erik Thommy; Mario Gomez, Daniel Ginczek.
Dortmund subs: Roman Weidenfeller, Julian Weigl, Jadon Sancho, Sergo Gomez. Andriy Yarmolenko, Mario Gotze, Jeremy Toljan.
Stuttgart subs: Jens Grahl, Chadrad Akolo, Anastasios Donis, Berkay Ozcan, Marcin Kaminski, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Orel Mangala.
Dortmund make four changes following defeat in Der Klassiker last weekend, the biggest of which is Reus' return from injury. He's joined in the side by Toprak, Sahin and Philipp. Gotze drops to the bench, whilst injured duo Manuel Akanji and Andre Schurrle don't make the side. There's also no place in the squad for Gonzalo Castro.
Stuttgart are pretty much as you'd expect, with the one change seeing Beck return from suspension. He takes Kaminski's place in the side.
Eight Bundesliga games unbeaten for Stuttgart, no home defeat for Stoger at Dortmund. Will one of those trends break today?
HALF-TIME! Not a lot in it at the Signal Iduna Park, where Borussia Dortmund have a largely undeserved lead. It came through incredibly fortunate circumstances, as Christian Pulisic's cross lofts over the head of Ron-Robert Zieler and papers over the very large cracks for the hosts.
The discontent from the fans is clear and you can see the lack of inspiration amongst the Borussia Dortmund players too. Peter Stoger may be unbeaten at home for the side but his future at the club surely won't last into next season.
Stuttgart have hardly set the world alight and haven't had too many moments to shine in the final third, where a lack of creativity is showing. Still, they've seen a lot of the ball and have performed better than Dortmund have.
FULL-TIME! No time added on and Dortmund take the points with a comfortable victory. It wasn't the best performance from Peter Stoger's side, who were fortunate to lead at half-time following Christian Pulisic's goal, but the hosts rallied after the restart. Michy Batshuayi eased the pressure when he scored shortly after the break, with Maximilian Philipp then putting the icing on the cake.
A much needed win for Dortmund after their embarrassing loss to Bayern Munich last week and it sets up a fierce derby with Schalke next weekend. Peter Stoger's side now trail by just a single point in the battle for second, whilst they've opened up a six-point lead over fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
A difficult day for Stuttgart, who taste defeat under Tayfun Korkut for the first time and see their eight-match unbeaten run come to a close. They didn't quite have the threat in the final third to cause Dortmund issues, despite their impressive displays in the first half. Hannover are next up.
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