Joey Veerman talks of midfield switch in comeback win over Hoffenheim

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Joey Veerman has revealed that switching to a three-man midfield helped them turn the tie against Hoffenheim.

The BVB prevailed 3-2 in Sinsheim after falling behind by two goals as Serhou Guirassy, Fabio Silva and Ethan Nwaneri combined to pull them from the jaws of a defeat.

Veerman came off the bench in the second half for Felix Nmecha and helped out defensively with six defensive contributions.

The Dutchman, signed on a €22 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven last month, was playing in his second Bundesliga match for the club. Here's what he said after full-time:

That was pretty crazy, and it was really great for us that we won the game. Once we switched to playing with three midfielders, the game changed, giving us a bit more control. I always try to keep the ball in play. That’s my style.

Dortmund were sluggish in the first half, struggling to create meaningful chances while Die Kraichgauer asked questions of their defense with their menacing pressing game.

Right at the stroke of 45 minutes, Leon Avdullahu broke the deadlock for the home side with a fabulous strike from outside the box that left BVB custodian Gregor Kobel no chance.

Having also lost Filippo Mane to an injury during the first half, things then went from bad to worse for Niko Kovac's side as Tim Lemperle doubled their advantage early into the second period of the game.

Dortmund, beaten 2-1 on their last visit to the Rhine Neckar Arena, were staring at another defeat, but Serhou Guirassy pulled one back after Waldemar Anton regained possession and darted forward before squaring it for the striker.

In the 66th minute, just five minutes after Guirassy's strike, the Guinean ace turned provider for Fabio Silva, controlling a ball from Kobel to swiftly lay it off for the Portuguese, who raced into acres of space between the Hoffenheim defense before arrowing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Just like that, Dortmund were level, but still needed another goal to win. Debutant Ethan Nwaneri, signed on loan from Arsenal, played a lovely one-two with Silva before prancing inside the box to make a cross but it came off Albian Hajdari and deflected into the net with only four minutes of normal time remaining.

Now leading 3-2, the Prussians held on for the remainder of the game and sealed all three points in a memorable victory.