Bundesliga: ‘It’s a machine’ – Dortmund’s Erling Haaland strikes to death | Sportsman | German football and major international sports news | DW

Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Hoffenheim, Westfalenstadion
(Reyna 49 ‘, Bellingham 69’, Haaland 90 ‘+ 1 – Baumgartner 61’, Dabbur 90 ‘)

It might be the early days of the Marco Rose era, but everything about that glowing performance was classic Dortmund. Hesitant defense, insensitive finishes and unbridled celebrations outside the Südtribüne – and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

The star of the show was Jude Bellingham, with a goal and an assist. But even the impressive young Englishman, who usually doesn’t miss a word or two, couldn’t describe in words the performance of match winner Erling Haaland.

“He’s a machine,” Bellingham told DAZN after the game of Haaland. “I don’t have enough words to describe how good he is. He deserves everything he gets.

The Norwegian forward shot a blank in the defeat at Freiburg last weekend and had suffered another frustrating night here against Hoffenheim. Dortmund were disjointed in attack and the only chances that presented themselves were the result of his own ingenuity.

But Haaland finally snorted in the 91st minute, leaping at close range after Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann did all he could to prevent Youssoufa Moukoko’s initial effort. Realizing that he had probably scored the winner, Haaland went on a rampage with a beautifully bizarre celebration in front of Südtribüne, his arms flapping as if they were independent of his body.

Disjointed Dortmund paper cracks

If Dortmund are to make a good impression in the Bundesliga season, their teenage talent will be crucial. Bellingham ended the game with a goal and an assist after Gio Reyna kicked Dortmund in front. Both goals were taken beautifully but two players still only have 18.

Dortmund needed this victory, especially with an international break about to start. The joy of their 5-2 splash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 1 had quickly faded after losses to Bayern Munich in the Supercopa and a tasteless loss to Freiburg last weekend.

In each of those matches, Rose had struggled to find a way to squeeze the best out of Haaland or even one of Dortmund’s forwards. While this problem has not gone away, with Dortmund appearing to be fighting for ideas without Jadon Sancho, there are signs that Rose’s methods are starting to take hold.

Marco Rose’s Dortmund won two out of three Bundesliga matches ahead of international break

While Haaland, Bellingham and Reyna were the winners of the Dortmund game, it was another quietly assured performance from their young goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The man signed from Stuttgart this summer is only 23 years old and has made two crucial saves for the man at the top of the Hoffenheim squad, Andrej Kramaric. After struggling to adequately replace Roman Weidenfeller since 2018, Dortmund may have found their man in Kobel.

Dortmund needed him as they seem to enjoy the challenge of making their lives difficult. Kramaric’s first big chance – a one-on-one with Kobel – was the result of the meeting between Marco Reus and Mahmoud Dahoud. And Hoffenheim’s opener came straight from sleepwalking Raphael Gueirrero into the abyss to allow Christoph Baumgartner to shoot in the lower corner. Dortmund’s lack of discipline makes for great matches, but also for Rose’s sleepless nights.

For a team that seem to insist on being flawed, Dortmund at least know they have one of the best in the business at Haaland. And with PSG snorting, it was a timely reminder of how much Dortmund needed him.