Dortmund loses in Cologne and misses chance to go top

BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Dortmund failed to capitalize on Bundesliga leader Union Berlin’s first defeat when it conceded a one-goal lead and lost to Cologne 3-2 on Saturday.

Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Union 2-0 at home, ending the last unbeaten team’s record in the league, though Urs Fischer’s side remained top for the third round straight – on goal difference ahead of Freiburg.

Freiburg enjoyed a 2-1 win at home over Mainz to consolidate its great start after eight rounds.

Instead of going top, Dortmund dropped to fourth behind Bayern Munich, which ended its four-game winless run on Friday by routing Bayer Leverkusen 4-0. With its main rivals all dropping points, Bayern cut the gap from five points to just two this weekend.

DORTMUND DISAPPOINTS

Jude Bellingham led Dortmund out as captain for the first time in the absence of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. The 19-year-old England star became Dortmund’s youngest ever captain in the Bundesliga – and he celebrated with a hand in the opening goal.

Julian Brandt scored after a hard-fought opening half hour when he took Bellingham’s pass perfectly with his first touch and stayed cool to flick the ball past Marvin Schwäbe in the 31st.

But Dortmund again failed to push on – bringing thoughts back to Werder Bremen’s late comeback in the Bundesliga and Manchester City’s 2-1 win in the Champions League.

Florian Kainz equalized for Cologne in the 53rd, then sent in a corner for Steffen Tigges to score against his former team in the 56th. Dejan Ljubicic sealed it with a curling shot inside the far post in the 71st.

By the time the 17-year-old Tom Rothe’s cross looped in thanks to a kind deflection in the 78th, it was too late for the visitors.

“It's very disappointing for us, very