Borussia Dortmund took on FSV Mainz 05 at the Signal Iduna Park in the opening game of their 2016/17 Bundesliga season. Thomas Tuchel’s Dortmund side won the game 2-1, thanks to a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but it was youngster Ousmane Dembele who really caught the eye with his display.
It was the winger’s debut in the Bundesliga, and he shone brightly on his night. One person, in particular, was extremely impressed with the 19-year-old - FSV Mainz 05 defender Leon Balogun.
Balogun was so awestruck by the young Frenchman’s performance that he was gushing praises about him in the post match interview.
"This Dembele kid is unbelievable," he said. "I said during the game to Aubameyang: 'Woah! What kid did you buy there?' "He's freaking amazing, unbelievable. I don't know how old he is - 18, 19?
"He's so calm, very skillful, his speed is unbelievable. So congrats to Dortmund for getting that kind of player. I think they will have a lot of fun with him. He has a great future ahead."
It was a tightly contested game to the very last minute. Last season’s top scorer Aubameyang, gave the home team the lead by heading the ball into the net in the 17th minute. FSV Mainz 05 did most of the attacking, with Dortmund pouncing on the counter-attack.
The Gabon striker got his second goal of the game with an 89th-minute penalty and looked to have sealed the win, but the home side had a nervy few minutes at the death, as Mainz’s Yoshinori Muto pulled one back for the visitors with a 93rd minute header.
Ousmane Dembele made a move earlier in this transfer window from French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC to Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £12.75 million, and has already shown his amazing skill and composition in his few appearances for the German club so far.
Manchester United fans are already well aware of the Frenchman’s abilities. He scored an absolute peach of a goal against them in their friendly clash in the International Champions Cup, making Marcos Rojo look completely incompetent before blasting a powerful shot past a helpless Sergio Romero.
French national team call-up
Dembele clearly has staggering potential as a footballer, and if the young Frenchman goes on to realise it fully, he will undoubtedly be one among the world’s best players before too long.
The youngster has been called up to the French national team at the age of just 19.
