Maximilian Beier’s second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Borussia Dortmund at VfB Stuttgart and maintained their perfect start to the Bundesliga season.
The visitors went close to taking the lead after only five minutes when Julian Ryerson’s cross picked out Beier in the penalty area, but the forward headed narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
Dortmund had won their previous five competitive matches in all competitions, yet they found it difficult to establish control in attack during a closely contested game at MHPArena.
Stuttgart had collected only three points from their opening three Bundesliga fixtures but matched their opponents for long periods and created a chance of their own seven minutes before half-time. Bilal El Khannouss met a cross with a header, only to send the ball just wide of the right post.
Although Die Borussen appeared the more likely side to break the deadlock, neither team managed to register a shot on target before the interval.
The match also brought together Sebastian Hoeneß and Niko Kovac, the two most experienced active managers in the Bundesliga. Their teams largely cancelled each other out during a first half in which chances were limited.
Dortmund thought they had taken the lead seven minutes after the restart, but Ethan Nwaneri’s effort was ruled out.
The decisive moment eventually arrived with 20 minutes remaining. Jobe Bellingham played a low ball into the area, where Beier escaped his marker and diverted the pass beyond Fabian Bredlow from inside the six-yard box.
With attacking quality in short supply, the opening goal was always likely to carry significant weight. Stuttgart could not find a response, while Dortmund managed the closing stages to preserve their 100% record after four matches.
Results elsewhere lifted Dortmund into top spot in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart remain 14th as their difficult start continues.
Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund was named Flashscore Man of the Match.