26 competitive matches including the Super Cup were played by Borussia Dortmund in the first half of the season. Time for a review of the best goals, best assists and most spectacular scenes of a turbulent half-year.
The most beautiful goal: The competition is fierce, but in the end it was of course Erling Haaland. Against Union, the striker was sent on his way by Mats Hummels with a long ball seven minutes from time, shielded the ball from Robin Knoche and lifted the ball in flight from the corner of the penalty area over the over-motivated out-running keeper Andreas Luthe into the net for 4:2 – it doesn’t get much more challenging than that. Special mention in this category: Hummels’ volley from 20 metres at Arminia Bielefeld and, just a few minutes later, Jude Bellingham’s slalom solo through the Bielefeld penalty area, including a cheeky finish with a lob over Stefan Ortega Moreno.
The most impressive assist: Julian Brandt has collected four assists in the Bundesliga first half, the most beautiful of which was eclipsed by the following goal. Haaland’s spectacular volley to make it 3-1 in Wolfsburg was just as worth seeing as the midfielder’s pinpoint cross that was necessary for it. The next two places go to Bellingham for his banana cross from half-field for Thorgan Hazard’s 1-0 against 1. FC Köln and the tucked pass after strong previous positioning and ball-carrying for Donyell Malen’s winning goal in the home match against Sporting.
The strongest save: Dortmund’s Champions League season was just five minutes as when Gregor Kobel prevented a very early goal in Istanbul. Former Borussian Michy Batshuayi had spun around Hummels in the opposition penalty area and pulled off a close-range finish. The Swiss keeper, however, pulled out his arm with a superb reflex save to deflect the ball over the crossbar.
The most glaring miss? BVB had not been able to initiate much going forward for 88 minutes in Mönchengladbach without Reus and Haaland, who were out at short notice. Perhaps with a standard situation? For example, at 0:1 in Mönchengladbach, Hazard took heart from a free-kick from around 30 metres and shot straight at it. The ball flew well towards the right corner, Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer was on his way – and yet did not have to intervene. Because in the penalty area, Hazard’s compatriot Axel Witsel stood in the rather dangerous shooting lane and involuntarily blocked his teammate’s ball.
The unluckiest goal conceded? It was the beginning of the end in Amsterdam and ultimately of all Champions League ambitions this season. Hummels’ free-kick at the right corner of the penalty area was headed into the crowded penalty area by Ajax’s Dusan Tadic, and Reus was unfortunate enough to slip the ball over the top of his head into the far corner as he attempted to clear. An object lesson followed.
The best goal celebration: On 29 June Bellingham celebrated his 18th birthday, but the Leverkusen fans’ fitting gift was presented to him two and a half months later. After Haaland’s converted penalty to make it 4-3, the Briton cheered on the back of the scorer in front of the Bayer block, catching a beer mug fired from the stands with his free left hand and even taking a sip. Dry commentary afterwards on Instagram: “A perfect day for my first beer… “
