Joey Veerman's substitution triggers Dortmund goal, top spot safe

With the 1‑0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund remains the league leader in the Bundesliga and enters the long international break as the only unbeaten team, a significant step after the disappointment in the German Supercup, where they lost the final.

The disappointment in the German Supercup, in which Dortmund lost the final, was an early setback. Since then, the team under coach Niko Kovac has not lost any match and is showing an excellent start to the season.

Quick breakthrough in the seventieth minute

In the first half chances were scarce; Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow made only one save. Both teams went a long time without giving each other an inch.

In the seventieth minute Joey Veerman was replaced by Jobe Bellingham, who immediately became dangerous on the right flank. Bellingham delivered a low cross on which Maximilian Beier calmly arrived and scored the opening goal.

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What the victory means for Dortmund

The win completes Dortmund's fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory, leaving them as the only unbeaten side after four rounds of play. The first matches in the national cup and the Champions League were also won, confirming the excellent start to the season. This demonstrates the team's versatility.

Bayern Munich, which thrashed Union Berlin on Friday, trails by two points, as does SC Freiburg, but remains two points behind the yellow‑blacks. SC Freiburg also stays two points behind, keeping the race for the top exciting.

After more than an hour on the pitch, Veerman received a yellow card for a foul on Angelo Stiller and was then substituted. His replacement Bellingham provided the assist, while Veerman reports to the Dutch national team on Monday, where Xavi has called him up again after a long absence. Veerman, a former PSV player, had no playing minutes under Ronald Koeman, but Xavi now sees him as an important link.