Bundesliga: Dortmund and newcomers Elversberg complete dramatic comebacks

Borussia Dortmund turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim, while promoted Elversberg produced an even wilder comeback to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-3. Both teams secured their second wins in the young Bundesliga season.

Hoffenheim took the lead through Leon Avdullahu in the 45th minute and doubled it through Tim Lemperle nine minutes after halftime. Dortmund responded with goals from Serhou Guirassy and substitute Fábio Silva before Albian Hajdari’s own goal in the 87th minute completed the turnaround.

Dortmund also had to absorb another injury. Young defender Filippo Mane went off in the first half, bringing deadline-day signing Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal into the match earlier than planned. Nwaneri played a decisive role in the third goal. Dortmund had already lost new signing Giannis Konstantelias to a cruciate ligament tear in the previous week.

Elversberg recovered from a 3-1 deficit in Mönchengladbach despite coach Vincent Wagner being sent off. Maurice Krattenmacher scored twice, including an equalizer in the 90th minute, and Felix Keidel added the winner in stoppage time. Gladbach’s goals came from Hugo Bolin, who scored twice, and Joe Scally.

Wagner had protested after the referee allowed Gladbach’s second goal to stand despite an incorrect throw-in decision. From the stands, he watched Elversberg complete its comeback. Freiburg beat promoted Paderborn 1-0 for a second straight win. Werder Bremen defeated Champions League participant RB Leipzig 3-1, while Bayer Leverkusen beat Union Berlin 4-0 for its first points. Stuttgart had opened its account with a 4-1 win over Cologne on Friday.