Edin Terzic's men, in difficulty in the league before the winter break (seven points scored out of 24 possible in eight matches), have a second consecutive success after dominating Darmstadt (3-0) last week, on the outskirts of Frankfurt. With 33 points on the clock after 18 days, BVB is tied on points with RB Leipzig, fourth and potential last qualifier for the Champions League. But Dortmund remains behind in fifth place because of a more unfavorable goal difference (11 against 20).
In the evening, Leipzig hosts Leverkusen, who occupies the comfortable leadership position with 45 points at the end of the first leg (14 wins, 3 draws). In Cologne, Borussia Dortmund quickly opened the scoring through Donyell Malen in the 12th minute, receiving a corner hit low to the ground by Julian Brandt.
Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved his team after returning from the locker room (46th) and had the chance on his side on a curling shot from Linton Maina, which crashed into Kobel's post. Niclas Füllkrug doubled the lead for Dortmund from a penalty in the 58th minute, before Malen gave his team some breathing room three minutes later, going on the edge of offside. Youssoufa Moukoko scored the last goal for the Yellows and Blacks in added time.