Overview
- Maximilian Beier scored a 70th-minute winner from a low cross by substitute Jobe Bellingham as Dortmund beat Stuttgart 1-0 to move top of the table with a perfect 12 points from four games on Sept. 19.
- Dortmund's bench had a direct impact as Bellingham came on in the 62nd minute to create the goal and Konstantinos Karetsas returned from a recent cardiovascular incident to appear off the bench.
- Players and club officials praised a disciplined defensive display that protected the narrow lead and secured Dortmund's first time atop the Bundesliga since May 2023 and their best opening-four start in a decade.
- Matchday 4 produced wider league drama with Werder Bremen rallying to win 3-2, Hamburg earning their first goals and points with a 2-1 win, Freiburg held to a 2-2 draw, and Borussia Mönchengladbach losing again to remain pointless after sacking their coach.
- The Bundesliga pauses for the international break and Dortmund will resume on Oct. 9 facing a run of nine matches in 30 days, a schedule that will test squad depth and the fitness of returning players.