Dortmund celebrates football's return with crushing victory

A momentous occasion. More than two months after the halt in European football, the Bundesliga got us started with a stunning Ruhr Valley derby, no less.  

Dortmund hosted Schalke at their famous Westfalenstadion, but its Yellow Wall, the largest terrace for standing spectators in European football, was empty. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that football has to be played behind closed doors, taking away what many would say is one of the most essential components of the professional sport. 

Still, Dortmund made sure fans had something to celebrate with a 4-0 routing over Schalke 04. 

The game took a while to get into full gear despite Schalke's hard pressing in the first few minutes, but no less was expected considering the halt. 

The visitors quickly lost control of the game after the 15-minute mark as Lucien Favre's men started to get more comfortable, dominating possession and creating more chances. 

A few shots on target by Guerreiro and Haaland, two of the standout performers of the game, showed what was the come. 

The first goal came in the 29th minute and was scored by none other than young superstar Erling Haaland, who opened the score with a stunning finish to a flowing move started by Brandt, sending Hazard away down the wing with a great reverse flick.

 

May 16, 2020

More chances quickly followed, with Hakimi getting close to scoring on more than one occasion, and Darmoud trying his luck with a powerful shot that was heading for goal, but Sane made a key block to avoid his team falling behind. 

However, Schalke could not stop Guerreiro's shot a few minutes later as Schubert was put under pressure, and Dortmund capitalised on his weak clearance. Within four seconds, the ball was played into the path of Brandt, and he in turn fed Guerreiro to clinically fire across a red-faced Schubert into the far corner.

It was Hazard who added the third and Guerreiro rounded it up in the 63rd minute with another well-crafted goal, combining with Haaland to go past Schubert once again. Meanwhile, Schalke struggled for shape and barely provide any chances in a frustrating afternoon for the visitors. 

The second half brought more of the same solid performances by Dortmund, with Brandt, Guerreiro, Hazard, Kakimi and Haaland all clearly in sync, proving players can still bring the skill and drive despite the halt. The pace started slowing towards the 80th minute, with both teams clearly fatigued and Schalke providing no chances to get a goal back. 

Despite the measure allowing 5 changes per game, both Favre and David Wagner did not make use of it. Still, players were careful and clearly out of shape, with Todibo and Hazard having to be replaced after receiving knocks.  

After the final whistle, Dortmund players walked towards the Yellow Wall and celebrated, as they would in normal times after such a win. A welcome sight for any football fan, showing the return of live games could provide us with a little joy after such difficult times, even if it means watching your team play behind closed doors. 

Dortmund keep their place as second in the Bundesliga table with 54 points, while Schalke stretch their winless league run to eight games, having scored only two goals in the process, and dropping two places to eighth on 37 points.

 

May 16, 2020