With a concentrated performance against FC Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund secured a clear victory in the Bundesliga on Saturday (05/04/24). The BVB team, which was almost completely reassembled by coach Edin Terzic, won 5:1 (4:1) after a very strong first half. Marco Reus had a great day and shone several times.
Dortmund’s unleashed performance not only celebrated two goals from Youssoufa Moukoko (4th, 29th), Donyell Malen (20th) and Felix Nmecha (64th), but also a goal from Reus one day after his announced departure from Dortmund after a total of 21 years in the club.
Ruben Vargas scored the guests’ consolation goal to make it 1:3 (32′). The 34-year-old Reus was given the ball by his 16-year-younger Dortmund native Kjell Wätjen on his debut in the Bundesliga.
Next Tuesday (07.04.24) Dortmund is hoping to reach the final after their victorious semi-final first leg win in the Champions League in Paris.
Only Kobel remains in the BVB starting eleven against Augsburg
After the Paris win during the week, Terzic replaced ten players from the starting eleven – only keeper Gregor Kobel was on the field from the start. The Black and Yellows have already secured qualification for the coming Champions League season.
On the one hand, the highly gifted so-called “second” guard thanked the coach and really shone in the first round. Moukoko had the Westfalenstadion cheering early on when BVB put a lot of pressure on the Augsburg goal in the fourth minute.
Dortmund debutant Wätjen overjoyed, Reus: “Great kicker”
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who was making a lot of noise from the left side, later fed Malen, who headed the ball home. In Moukoko’s 3-0 win, Reus collected his first assist of this game before he went into the lane after a good half hour and was perfectly served by youngster Wätjen.
The guests from Swabia had previously shortened the score when central defender Antonios Papadopoulos deflected a shot from Vargas after a corner into Kobel’s reach. Reus was also the preparer for Felix Nmecha’s goal from a 15-meter shot.
Chants and standing ovations for Marco Reus
In the middle of the second half, shortly after preparing his second goal, Terzic gave his outgoing idol a celebration: When he was substituted for Julian Brandt, the fans applauded, celebrated him with chants and gave Reus a standing ovation. And even after the game, the fans continued to celebrate their idol.
Goosebumps moments in the Westfalenstadion, which was sold out with over 81,000 spectators. “The boys in the stands are unbelievable,” said Reus to the sports show, “there is just gratitude that I can express. But: We still have something to do this season, so the focus is now fully on Tuesday.”
Dortmund’s Terzic: “Marco turned everything into gold today”
“We wanted to have freshness on the pitch and distribute opportunities,” said Terzic later at the Sportschau microphone, “and the secure Champions League qualification was one of the reasons for almost completely changing.”
And when asked about Reus’ performance, the coach said: “Marco played a fantastic game, everything Marco touched today he turned into gold.”
After the third defeat in a row, FCA coach Jess Thorup did not want to talk about possible qualification for a European competition on the Sportschau microphone: “I always said ‘The focus is on the next game’ when someone asked me about Europe. To me, talking about Europe now is nonsense.”
Dortmund only against Paris, Augsburg against Stuttgart
Dortmund will play against relegation-threatened Mainz on matchday 33 (Saturday, May 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m.), while Augsburg will play Stuttgart one day earlier (Friday, May 10, 204, 8:30 p.m.). Before that, Borussia have to play the important second leg in the semi-finals of the Champions League at Paris St. Germain (05/07/24, 9 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de).