Borussia Dortmund 7-2 Odds BK: Four things we learnt as BVB canter into Europa League group stage

Resurgent Borussia Dortmund cantered their way into this season’s Europa League as they creamed Norwegian visitors Odds BK by 7-2 at Signal Iduna Park, to win the play-off round with an insane aggregate score of 11-5.Having been put to the sword in the first leg in Norway when the hosts raced to a 3-0 lead inside 22 minutes, Die Borussen valiantly fought back to turn the tables around by pumping in four goals by the end of the time and entered the second leg with a spot all but assured. However, the magnitude with which they did the same is highly startling.The visitors went ahead again here, but it was all Dortmund from there on as the Ruhr Valley outfit ran riot with a 7-goal salvo, which also saw Marco Reus and Shinji Kagawa bagging a hat-trick and a brace respectively.Here are some of the things we learnt from the thrilling goal-fest in North Rhine-Westfalia.

#1 Reus getting back to his best

Former Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder Marco Reus had been one of Dortmund’s focal point in the attack, being a part of the famous trinity alongside Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski. Together, the magnificant troika fired the club to great heights but since the departures of the latter two, the talismanic mantle tumbled to the shoulders of just the blond German.

Although last year Reus couldn’t inspire his side the way he was supposed to, as his season would be plagued with injuries and poor form, the 26-year old has, this season, hit his stride again and is firing at all cylinders. The Germany international had already netted three times this season in 6 games, but after this round, hiked the figure by another three as he netted a treble on the night to steal the show with his scoring prowess.

Reus got his first just before the half-hour mark after some good work down the right flank by Ilkay Gundogan allowed him apply a close-range finish and doubled his tally just 5 minutes later when he slotted home an accurate volley as Mkhitaryan played a sublime through ball. He completed a hat-trick early in the second half when he latched on to another cross from Mkhitaryan, straight into the back post.

Although the set of strikes weren’t top drawer as such, but each one of them illustrated Reus’ positional awareness as he got into the right place at the right time to heighten the threat.

Reus has scored 6 goals in all competitions this term and it indicates a good start to the season for a player who spent most of his time on the treatment table in the previous one.

#2 Gundogan shows his creative prowess

Scoring goals and setting them up as well is not generally the forte of the central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who is more of a nexus between the defence and the attack. However last evening, the 24-year old brought his creative self to the fore, contributing heavily in the attack.

He laid off a ball to Reus for the opener as he scythed down the right to slip a killer pass to the latter, who finished it off without breaking a sweat. He was also involved in the second when Gundogan, well away from the box, very accurately flicked a cross to Mkhitaryan on the left and the Armenian delivered a volley to Reus who again converted it with ease.

The midfielder was everywhere on the field in this game and proved to be a vital weapon in Dortmund’s attack. He has been on a fine run this campaign which is very evident from his performances so far. Just like Mkhitaryan, Gundogan too, appears to be back to his best and with him manning the midfield, Dortmund can go a long way.

#3 Mixed conclusions for Odds BK

They were never really expected to put up a fight here and Dortmund were touted to stroll past this hurdle. While Dortmund sure did, but had their fair share of nervy moments. For instance, they were almost on their way out when The Oddrane went 3-0 ahead inside 22 minutes in the first leg last week, only to collapse 4-3 in the end. While the result did end Odd’s chances of progressing, it showed a statement of intent from Dag-Eilev’s side.

Although Odds bowed out, they bowed out by putting on some fight. They managed to put an incredible five past Dortmund over the two legs, but on the flip side, they let slip their advantage which proved to be costly. They squandered a 3 goal cushion at home and after taking the lead again in the return leg, couldn’t preserve it.

Odds were good, but could have been better.

#4 Dortmund heavy favourites for the title

The way Borussia Dortmund have begun their campaign under new manager Thomas Tuchel is outstanding. In 7 competitive games so far, the former German champions have netted a whopping 27 goals and conceding a mere 5. A really encouraging start to the season.

After the ill-fated 2014/15, which not only saw them miss out on silverware but also finish out of top three in the league and several key players sustaining long-term injuries, Dortmund have conjured a rich vein of form again under Tuchel and appear absolutely unstoppable at the moment.

They are currently above Bayern Munich in the league after first two rounds of fixtures and have also acquired a berth in the Europa League in a really emphatic fashion. Players such as Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ilkay Gundogan and Aubameyang are all going well, beating their adversaries black and blue.

It seems all rosy in the Westphalia at the moment and if Dortmund are able to sustain the form right till the end, it won’t be surprising to see them lift the Europa gong in Basel next May.