BERLIN (AP) — Captain Marco Reus scored again in a 2-1 win over Leipzig that lifted Borussia Dortmund three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday and preserved its winning start to 2023.
Reus converted a penalty in the 21st minute and Emre Can got the second goal in the 39th for Dortmund’s 10th win from 10 games across all competitions this year. It’s the best record for any team across Europe’s top five leagues in 2023.
Bayern Munich, which was leading on goal difference from Dortmund, can reclaim top spot on Saturday with a win at relegation-threatened Stuttgart.
Reus’ 159th goal for Dortmund altogether matched Michael Zorc’s record for the club. Only Adi Preißler, who scored 177 for Dortmund in two stints from 1946 to 1959, has more.
But Dortmund needed reserve goalkeeper Alexander Meyer to preserve Friday’s win with a stoppage-time save from Emil Forsberg, just after Nico Schlotterbeck denied Timo Werner an equalizer with his shoulder.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzić was forced into a late change to his lineup when goalkeeper Gregor Kobel complained of a muscular problem. Meyer made his fifth league appearance of the season.