Saturday's Revierderby was all Borussia Dortmund as the hosts pounded rival Schalke 4-0 to mark the return of the Bundesliga following a two-month break. Playing at Signal Iduna Park with no fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, Dortmund used sensational performances from its front three and Raphael Guerreiro to move within one point of Bayern Munich (standings). Schalke, with American Weston McKennie starting in the middle, couldn't contain their rival, who scored twice in each half. American Gio Reyna was set to start for Dortmund before picking up an injury during warmups.
Here are three takeaways from the match:
Clinical and sharp
Borussia Dortmund was as efficient as it could be, scoring on its lone four shots on goal to set the tone and bury a helpless Schalke side. The passing was quick, crisp and perfectly timed, and once they were ready to spring forward, Erling Haaland was already calling for the ball and with a step on the back line.
They mixed in some flair, put their passes exactly where they need to be and made it look easy.
The first goal, which came from Haaland, followed a delicious touch from Julian Brandt to Thorgan Hazard, who then set up Haaland to perfection.
The second goal once again saw a perfect pass from Brandt, setting up Guerreiro with this lovely effort:
Hazard then made it 3-0 early in the second half before the goal of the game saw Haaland filter a pass through to Guerreiro, who did this:
Schalkes's defense was non-existent
It won't be a game that Weston McKennie and company will remember, but it was hardly his fault. He had some moments both on the ball and off of it, but at times in transition he was sitting deep or had to chase back with just two defenders helping. It got worse as Schalke aimed to get back into the game, and the visitors ended up standing no chance of getting back into it.
Up 2-0, Dortmund went for its third and got it, with Haaland getting a ball forward. When the ball goes into Brandt in space, just look at where Schalke's back line is.
As bad as it gets.
Schalke in trouble when it comes to Europa League?
Schalke entered the day in a Europa League spot and will finish the day outside of the top six. Before long, they could be out of the top half of the table. This result stretched Schalke's winless streak to eight games. In those eight games, they've just scored two goals. The lack of creativity in attack has effectively seen them ruled out of any game in which they go down a goal or two. With a defense conceding 13 goals in their last four, what hope does a team have that can't defend and can't score? A promising start to the season is beginning to fizzle after just one game since returning from the break.
Borussia Dortmund 4, Schalke 0 (FT)
⚽ Dortmund - Haaland (28')
⚽ Dortmund - Guerreiro (45')
⚽ Dortmund - Thorgan Hazard (48')
⚽ Dortmund - Guerreiro (63')