Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Dortmund got their new Bundesliga campaign off to a winning start as they beat an understrength Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund surprisingly started two 17-year-olds in American Gio Reyna and Englishman Jude Bellingham in midfield, and the two teenagers repaid that faith placed in them as they combined for the opening goal. Erling Haaland then bagged a second-half brace to seal the victory.
There is likely more to come from Gladbach, who were missing some of their top players for their first match of the season. But the same might be said of Dortmund’s new teenage sensations, who have provided a glimpse of what could be a bright future for BVB.
Highlights of the game
There was surprising Bundesliga 2020 news on both sides once the team sheets came out. Dortmund coach Lucien Favre decided to give a start to Dortmund’s marquee summer signing, 17-year-old Jude Bellingham, on his debut along with fellow 17-year-old American Gio Reyna, who played in behind the front two of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
And on the other side, Gladbach were without their two star French forwards in Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram, who were not deemed fit enough to start. They were also missing key defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria.
The Bundesliga 2020 betting odds were already against Gladbach, and the absence of their top two goalscorers last season really made things that much more difficult.
Meanwhile, Dortmund’s daring team selection would pay off as the two teenagers combined to give the home side the lead on 35 minutes. Bellingham played a clever ball to Reyna, who confidently slotted past Yan Sommer to score his first Bundesliga goal.
Sancho very nearly doubled Dortmund’s lead on 40 minutes. He got on the end of an Emre Can cross, but his header on the run sailed just too high.
However, the home side would get their second goal just nine minutes into the second half. Reyna was once again prominently involved as he made a dangerous run into the box and was brought down. After a check with the pitchside monitor, the referee awarded Dortmund the penalty.
Up stepped Erling Haaland, who coolly sent Sommer the wrong way to score the first of what should be many goals this seasons.
Gladbach coach Marco Rose finally brought on his star French duo of Plea and Thuram on the hour mark to try and rescue the game, but they were unable to seriously threaten Dortmund’s goal. And in the process of trying to get a goal back, Gladbach were hit by a devastating Dortmund counterattack.
Sancho broke with incredible pace as he sprinted from box to box before laying the ball off to Haaland, who blasted the ball home to seal Dortmund’s opening-day win.
Expect those two rising young stars to combine a fair bit for Dortmund this season while their even younger next generation of stars in Reyna and Bellingham look to provide support.
Key statistics
Dortmund’s utter domination of Gladbach continues. As highlighted in SBOTOP’s preview of this Battle of the Borussias, BVB had won 10 consecutive Bundesliga matches against the Foals heading into this meeting, and they’ve now pushed it up to 11 in a row. It’s also the fourth time they’ve beaten them by three or more goals during that stretch.
Gladbach actually ended up having more possession (52-48) while Dortmund just edged out their visitors in terms of total shots (10-8). But the home side just had too much quality, especially with Gladbach missing so many of their key players.
Haaland had another great game as he bagged a team-high five shots resulting in two goals. His goal ratio for Dortmund now stands at 15 goals in 16 Bundesliga appearances and 18 goals in 20 overall. Not bad for a 20-year-old.
What’s next?
Dortmund’s next assignment will take them away to Augsburg next week. Augsburg are coming off a 3-1 win at Union Berlin in their first match of the season.
Speaking of Union, they will be Gladbach’s next opponents as they visit Borussia Park. Union pulled off a shock 2-0 home win over Gladbach last season, but the Foals got their revenge with a 4-1 victory at home.
Marcus Thuram scored a brace in that match, while Plea scored their fourth. Gladbach will be hoping both will finally be fit enough to start as they look to get their season going.
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