OFF THE POST! Dortmund are denied a fourth goal by the frame as Tyton does just enough to block Leitner's effort. Ramos opened up the Stuttgart defence with a sublime through ball for Mkhitaryan down the right. The midfielder cut the ball back for Leitner to strike, but the Stuttgart keeper did just enough to divert his attempt on to the post.
85'
Niedermeier retains his concentration to clear a dangerous cross from Schmelzer away from the lurking figure of Ramos. The striker looks a determined man to atone for his earlier miss.
83'
Mkhitaryan is not done for the day as he surges forward and tries to release Leitner with a through ball, but the two players are not on the same page and the home side clear the danger.
82'
N. Şahin enters the game and replaces J. Weigl.
Sahin comes on to the pitch for the final eight minutes to replace Weigl.
80'
P. Heise enters the game and replaces F. Barba.
Barba is replaced by Heise for the home side. Not a memorable match for the defender.
76'
M. Leitner enters the game and replaces C. Pulišić.
M. Schmelzer enters the game and replaces M. Reus.
Pulisic makes way for Leitner following a fine display.
Tuchel pulls Reus out of the action to spare his legs, which Schmelzer replacing the midfielder.
74'
CHANCE! Ramos misses an absolute sitter to notch a fourth goal for his side as he fails to convert an open goal from Reus's pass. The striker did not seem to think the ball would return to him after he played in his team-mate, but that's no excuse for that miss.
73'
SAVE! Burki makes his first stop of the match as he reacts well down to his right to deny Niedermeier as the defender rose highest to head Kostic's corner at goal. Solid save from the Dortmund keeper.
72'
CHANCE! Kostic lifts a cross to the back post, and Harnik does well to control the ball on his chest to set up a volley. The forward fires his effort towards goal, but Ginter comes across to make a crucial block to divert the ball out for a corner.
Minute
Description
68'
The tempo has dropped significantly over the last few minutes, the game is imitating a training ground match at the moment with Dortmund knocking the ball around the pitch with ease.
66'
Stuttgart will be wary of conceding further goals as they hold a better goal difference than Werder Bremen, although that advantage has been reduced to just three following Dortmund's success in front of the net this afternoon. Goal difference could well play a crucial part in the relegation battle in the final few matches of the campaign.
64'
Dortmund look quite content to sit on their three-goal lead. They know that Stuttgart will have to push bodies forward in a vein attempt to get back into the game, leaving space on the counter. There could be more goals to come from the visitors should they retain their clinical edge.
62'
G. Niedermeier enters the game and replaces E. Insúa.
A. Maxim enters the game and replaces L. Rupp.
Maxim replaces Rupp in the midfield.
Insua is replaced by Niedermeier in an attacking move by the home side.
59'
Dortmund break with speed down the right and Mkhitaryan tries an ambitious strike from a tight angle, looking for his second goal of the afternoon. However, Tyton reads the danger well and gathers at his near post.
56'
H. Mkhitaryan has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund!
GOALL!!! Mkhitaryan notches his side's third goal of the afternoon with a simple volley into an empty net. Kagawa was the architect of the goal as his mazy run and cross from the left presented an opening for Ramos. Tyton did well to keep the forward's powerful header out, but his save went only as far as Mkhitaryan, who found the net with a composed finish. That should be the game for the visitors.
54'
Stuttgart have upped the ante after the break, but are still yet to test Burki. Werner has had two opportunities to put crosses into the box by raiding down the right. His first went well over the heads of everyone in the area, but his second was right in the danger zone ahead of Burki, but no player in a white shirt could steer the ball home.
51'
Kostic causes problems on the left as he surges down the flank. The midfielder sends a low ball across the face of goal, aiming for the run of Harnik. However, Ginter is there to make the interception and clear the danger.
50'
Kostic breaks into the box down the left and tries to beat the challenge of Piszczek, but the midfielder wilts under the pressure and goes down. The referee tells him to get to his feet as Dortmund come away with the ball.
49'
C. Pulišić gets yellow.
Pulisic goes into the book for blocking the run of Insua.
46'
We're back underway in this Bundesliga clash.
45' +1
The referee brings an end to the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
45'
C. Pulišić has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund!
GOALL!!! Dortmund double their lead on the stroke of half-time through Pulisic as he converts from close range. Mkhitaryan's drive from distance skipped off the surface and caused problems for Tyton as he failed to gather the ball. The American pounced on the rebound to fire a strike into the bottom corner and hand his side control of the game.
43'
The tempo of the match has been disrupted by lack of discipline from both teams as we approach half-time. The rain is not helping matters either which is causing difficulties at the back.
40'
A few niggly fouls are creeping into the game from the home side. They have been frustrated by Dortmund, and their lack of success in the final third may just be getting to the players.
37'
CHANCE! Tyton keeps his side in the match with a fine save to deny Ramos. The striker collected a pass down the right and surged past two Stuttgart defenders before unleashing a powerful strike towards the roof of the net, but Tyton managed to get a hand on the ball to turn his effort over the bar.
35'
Stuttgart are struggling for quality in the attacking third of the pitch as Didavi sends two crosses straight into the path of Ginter at the near post, allowing the defender to clear with ease. The home side will need a moment of magic to unlock the Dortmund defence, who have looked solid this afternoon.
33'
Didavi has space to shoot from distance, but his effort just creeps past Burki's post. He and Harnik are full of energy in the final third, but are yet to test the Dortmund keeper.
28'
The visitors are trying to establish control of the game by settling into a rhythm in their passing. The match has been an open affair, and Tuchel looks to be concerned about how much space Stuttgart have had in the final third as he barks out instructions to his defenders.
25'
CHANCES! Opportunities at both ends of the pitch as Harnik causes problems in the final third and cuts the ball back to Werner, but Sokratis makes a good block to stop his shot from finding the net. From the clearance, Dortmund break with pace as Reus raids through the middle and picks out Ramos in the box. The striker sends the ball back to his team-mate who shoots at goal, but Tyton blocks. The ball spins back towards the net with the keeper and Mkhitaryan fighting for control, but the referee awards a free-kick for the Dortmund man's aggression.
23'
A slip in the final third from Sokratis allows Kostic to break into the box. However, Ginter comes across to make a vital block to deny the Stuttgart midfielder, and the visitors clear the danger.
21'
S. Kagawa has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund! Assist by H. Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan produces a sublime cross to pick out Kagawa at the back post to put his side into the lead.
GOAL!!! Dortmund take the lead with a simple goal as the Stuttgart defence crumbles. Mkhitaryan raids down the left and sends a pinpoint cross to the back post for the run of Kagawa, who is left with an easy finish to convert into an empty net.
19'
Dortmund break with pace down the left and Reus feeds the run of Pulisic in the left inside channel. The winger strikes with power from a tight angle, but Klein gets enough on his effort to divert the ball behind for a corner.
17'
Reus finds his way blocked as he attempts to break into the box. The midfielder bundles over Klein on the edge of the area as he tries to knock the ball past the right-back, which results in a free-kick for the home side. Stuttgart have been pretty solid at the back so far.
15'
Dortmund are content to play the waiting game by dominating possession in midfield. Their passing in the final third has not been crisp, but by keeping the ball they will be able to open up gaps for Ramos to exploit.
13'
Harnik causes problems for Durm down the right flank and he cuts inside to play a pass into the feet of Didavi. The midfielder tries to turn Sokratis to open up space for a strike, but his eventual attempt at goal goes comfortably wide of the post.
12'
Stuttgart win a corner down the left which is cleared with relative ease, although the ball comes to Insua 25 yards from the net. The left-back powers a strike towards goal, which sails just over the crossbar. Good effort from the defender.
11'
CHANCE! The visitors work a free-kick in the final third, and Sokratis heads the ball down into the feet of Ramos, but the forward's effort is deflected safely into the hands of Tyton.
9'
CHANCE! Reus should put Dortmund ahead as Piszczek's shot from distance is deflected into his path in the box. The German only has Tyton to beat from close range, but the midfielder can only fire his effort wide of the post. Replays show that Reus was offside, but the flag did not go up from the linesman.
6'
PENALTY SHOUT! Harnik controls the ball on his chest and surges away from Durm into the box. He goes down in the penalty area before he can shoot, with the home crowd pleading for a spot-kick. However, the referee waves play on.
4'
Kagawa releases the run of Reus down the right flank and the home side scramble to get men behind the ball. Reus tries to thread a pass through to Ramos, but Schwaab is there to make the interception and clear.
2'
Klein is forced into defensive work down the right in the opening stages of the game. Ramos breaks into space and tries to raid past the defender, but the Austrian makes a good challenge to clear the ball to safety.
1'
We're underway at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Bundesliga clash between Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund.
Thomas Tuchel's men will be desperate to fight to the end of the campaign, and will be buoyed by their victory during the week over Hertha Berlin, which sealed their place in the final of the DFB-Pokal where they will face Bayern.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
Dortmund's pursuit of the Bundesliga title will continue this afternoon despite trailing leaders Bayern Munich by seven points. With only four matches remaining in the campaign, a defeat today and a victory for Pep Guardiola's men would hand the title to Bayern for the fourth year on the spin.
Stuttgart are also in need of the points this afternoon to save themselves from a perilous situation at the foot of the table. Jurgen Kramny's men are in 15th place, just two points clear of 16th-place Werder Bremen in the relegation play-off spot. However, the club can move five points clear following Bremen's defeat on Friday with a victory today to ease their relegation concerns.
Dortmund have made four changes following their 3-0 triumph over Hertha Berlin during the week. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Erik Durm, Matthias Ginter and Pulisic all come into the side as Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer, Sven Bender and Gonzalo Castro are dropped to the bench. Adrian Ramos leads the line this afternoon for Tuchel's men, while Reus has the captain's armband.
Dortmund are in impressive form in the Bundesliga although it has not been enough to close the gap at the top of the table. Tuchel's men are unbeaten in their last 13 matches, winning eight out of their last 10. A brace from Adrian Ramos and a strike from Christian Pulisic guided them past Hamburger SV last week, and they will be hopeful of another win this afternoon.
The atmosphere in the Mercedes-Benz-Arena is slowly building ahead of kick-off. The teams will enter the pitch to a great deal of volume from the home crowd in their attempt to fire up Stuttgart this afternoon.
The players are out on the pitch, so we should be underway shortly.
HALF-TIME: Stuttgart 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Stuttgart have made three changes to their side that was beaten 1-0 by Augsburg last week. Federico Barba, Martin Harnik and Lucas Rupp all come into the line-up to replace Toni Sunjic, Georg Niedermeier and Artem Kravets.
Borussia Dortmund are in control of the contest at the break thanks to Christian Pulisic's goal just before the whistle. It's heartbreak for Stuttgart who would have felt in the match at 1-0 down, but the effort from the American leaves them with a huge task to get anything out of the game. Thomas Tuchel's men had the better of the opportunities and dominated possession, although the home side did have brief moments in the final third. Jurgen Kramny has an important team-talk ahead of him to try to inspire his players for the second half.
The players have emerged for the second half, so we should be back underway shortly.
FULL-TIME: Stuttgart 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund keep the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Stuttgart this afternoon. Thomas Tuchel's men were impressive all over the pitch and could have won by a larger margin had they been more clinical in the final third. However, goals from Shinji Kagawa, Christian Pulisic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were enough to secure the three points. The title looks to be beyond them as Bayern are seven points clear with three matches remaining, but it's still not over. Stuttgart will be disappointed by their display this afternoon in light of Werder Bremen's defeat on Friday. They could have moved five points clear of their rival in the relegation play-off spot, but the gap remains at two with three games left in the campaign.
Thanks for joining our commentary this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.
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