Borussia Dortmund v. Schalke may have been the feature match heading into this weekend, and the re-start of the Bundesliga, but when the “smoke” cleared one team emerged dominant. The other was dismantled, blown out and torn apart.
Dortmund looked very sharp, despite the break for COVID-19, and was particularly dangerous in transition with Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard and Erling Haaland. The trio would produce a gorgeous first goal with Brandt releasing Hazard on the right after a subtle touch. Hazard then whipped in his delivery without hesitation and Haaland proved the timed touch.
It was a move of quickness, timing and precision.
What a flick from @JulianBrandt to unbalance @s04_en , @HazardThorgan8 with delivery and Haaland with finishing. Timing, precision, what a move! Great start @kicker_bl_li !pic.twitter.com/2egFpKhnFD
— Glenn Davis (@GlennDavisSoc) May 16, 2020
Dortmund also got goals from Raphael Guerreiro (2) and Thorgan Hazard.
The “Ghost Game” aptly named by Germans allowed us the echoing sounds of the striking of the ball, players and coaches chatter and the odd notion of celebrating goals apart due to safety COVID-19 rules in place.
American fans like me were excited by the announcement that Gio Reyna was going to get a start but an injury in warm up made way for Hazard who produced a goal and an assist.
Milestone reached ✅
8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ #Bundesliga wins and counting for @BlackYellow ? pic.twitter.com/SdAvZ5kuwy
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 16, 2020
Schalke’s Weston McKennie had a tough day with the speed of the transition game of Dortmund, like his teammates, and was often turned running back to his own goal.
Mckenzie plays a very aggressive holding midfield role, taking risk to try to anticipate and read passes, which caused him some positional problems. A day of huge disappointment for former U.S. international David Wagner, whose job is now in question.
Dortmund was just too much in this “Derby” match and reminded us of the difference between #2 and #6 at the moment in the table. Oh by the way, this was without Jadon Sancho (who only played 11 minutes at the end) and Marco Reus.
Table update ? #BundesligaMD26 pic.twitter.com/SlC1n45rXh
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 16, 2020
A lot will be down to managers and how they have prepared their teams in this COVID-19 time period, and the ones better at this will see their work rewarded in the confidence and play presented in these matches!
All in all it was an amazing moment today to see German Football come back!
