Borussia Dortmund dispatch Borussia Mönchengladbach to open Bundesliga campaign with 3-0 win

Borussia Dortmund started off their season collecting three vital points in their 3-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, with Erling Haaland scoring twice.

Borussia Dortmund accomplished their goal on matchday one, collecting all three points against a tough opponent in Borussia Mönchengladbach. Dortmund left no doubt in this one, putting three past Gladbach en route to a vital win. Dortmund did finally get some luck on the VAR side at both ends of the pitch, which doesn’t usually go their way.

The first half was a bit open between the two sides, with neither team able to create too many clear cut chances. Both teams were playing in a 3-5-2 formation, and they sort of nullified each other early on. Roman Bürki did make an exceptional double save early on to keep Gladbach at bay in what would have surely been a goal nine times out of ten.

Dortmund took advantage of the miss stone after. Gio Reyna actually took a poor touch off a cross in the 18 yard box but it found it’s way to Jude Bellingham. Bellingham played a light pass through the Gladbach defence to release Reyna who made no mistake scoring his first ever Bundesliga goal from a very tight angle. It was quite the way to start the season with Dortmund’s two 17 year olds linking up to score the first goal.

Dortmund seemingly took over in the second half and didn’t allow Gladbach to really get back into the game. in the 54th minute, Gio Reyna was taken down inside the box, but Felix Brych allowed play to go on. VAR did intervene at the first whistle and Brych reviewed the play on the sideline before awarding Dortmund the penalty.

There was definitely contact with Reyna’s foot but he made the most of it in making sure the ref made the decision in his favour. Simply put, plays like that usually result in a PK.

Sancho was initially looking like he would be the one to take the spot kick, but after a quick discussion and a laugh, he reluctantly let Haaland step up, who made no mistake from 12 yards out. Haaland put the game fully out of Gladbach’s reach in the 77th minute off an end to end counter attack with Sancho. Sancho played a delicate through ball to Haaland at the top of the 18 yard box, and the striker beat Sommer with a rising shot.

Hummels did have a close call with VAR when the game was still 2-0, as he clipped Thuram in the box. There was definitely contact there as well and that could have easily been given as a PK which would surely have changed the game to some degree. Although the decision would have been dubious at best

Marco Reus made his return in the 79th minute, he will continue to get as many minutes as possible and build up his fitness before making his return to the starting XI. Next up for Borussia Dortmund is a trip to Augsburg.