Kobel reflects on controversial penalty and Dortmund’s fighting spirit after dramatic Leipzig draw

Gregor Kobel admitted Borussia Dortmund had to show resilience to recover from a difficult first half but praised his team’s mentality after their dramatic 2–2 draw against RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel praised his team’s resilience after they fought back from two goals down to secure a dramatic 2–2 draw against RB Leipzig. The Swiss international also shared his thoughts on a controversial penalty decision and highlighted the importance of carrying the team’s late-match momentum forward.

Speaking after the match, Kobel also addressed a controversial penalty incident involving Karim Adeyemi: “You can give the penalty,” Kobel said. “Adeyemi goes into the player, but the ball is there as well, he is supposed to make a run like that. With VAR, you could definitely give it. It was a difficult situation.”

While the decision ultimately went against Dortmund, Kobel emphasized the team’s response was what mattered most: “Leipzig can play very good football, and both goals we conceded were very similar,” he explained. “But we showed a strong reaction and fought our way back into the game. It’s a shame we couldn’t win.”

Dortmund’s late equalizer sparked emotional celebrations and nearly inspired an even more dramatic turnaround. “The emotions after the equalizer were good and important,” Kobel said. “They almost carried us to a third goal. That’s the energy we now have to take with us.”

The result highlighted Dortmund’s character after a difficult opening spell, while Kobel’s comments underlined both the fine margins and renewed belief within the squad as the Bundesliga season enters its decisive phase.