DORTMUND, Germany -- Borussia Dortmund failed to end their Bundesliga drought in the Revierderby against Ruhr rivals Schalke on Saturday, as a scoreless draw at the Westfalenstadion saw them pick up their fourth winless league match in a row.
United States international Christian Pulisic, 18, told ESPN FC after the game that it was two points dropped rather than one point gained in his first derby against Schalke.
"I think we always want to come out with three points, so we're disappointed today, but it obviously was a tough game," said Pulisic.
It took Thomas Tuchel's side until the second half to release a shot toward goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann's net, as Markus Weinzierl's well-organised 5-3-2 system completely stifled the BVB attack. The first half was riddled with gritty midfield challenges, with referee Felix Brych reaching for his yellow card five times before the break.
When asked whether Tuchel made changes at half-time, Pulisic replied: "We just kept doing the same things, but much faster and sharper."
The Black and Yellows managed to fire nine shots in the second half, with the U.S. international nearly picking up an assist in the 53rd minute. Ousmane Dembele, however, could not convert Pulisic's flick-on header and pinged the ball against the bar from close range.
"We got a new kind of energy at half-time and really should've brought in the second half, but unfortunately we couldn't get the goal," added Pulisic.
The 18-year-old added that he was "not the happiest" with his own performance.
"Of course it's a team game, so I'm just disappointed we couldn't win the game. But I thought I had a much better second half, so I felt better. But we'll see moving forward."
Pulisic could have put himself on the scoresheet in the 58th minute, but his half-volley from inside the 16-yard box went over the Schalke goal.
Before playing away to Hamburg in the Bundesliga next weekend, Borussia Dortmund will try to seal qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages when they host Sporting CP on Wednesday.
With Andre Schurrle and Raphael Guerreiro returning to the team after injury, Dortmund will hope for a personnel boost going into the last two matches ahead of the international break in an effort to get back to winning ways.