Impressive display by Erling Haaland inspired Borussia Dortmund to an impressive Ruhr Derby win over rivals Schalke. But Dortmund remain outside of the top four but they cannot afford to stay there.
That moment of majesty went a long way towards settling the Ruhr derby in Dortmund’s favor once again. It followed Jadon Sancho’s opener three minutes earlier as Dortmund’s big game stars stepped up at just the right time.
By the time Raphael Guerreiro added a slick third after the break and Haaland notched a fourth, Schalke’s third straight Ruhr derby defeat was merely the latest episode in the series of tribulations that have stalked their sorry season. Nine points from safety and with just one win all season, Christian Gross’s side will soon have no option but to plan for life in Germany’s second tier.
This was not the first time this week that Dortmund have relied on the individual ability of their Norwegian superstar. In Seville on Wednesday, Haaland’s heroics almost single-handedly dragged them to an impressive victory in the Champions League.
And back in Germany he did it again, continuing his formidable form to make it 43 goals in 43 games. It’s worth dwelling on that statistic for just a moment.
Dortmund's interim coach, Edin Terzic, was pleased with the result, but was measured in his praise of the team.
"We came here to win the derby, and we succeeded," he said, with a smile on his face. "We are very pleased with the way we scored the goals. The way we performed in Seville and here is, of course, what we want. But it's a process, it will take time, there will be setbacks.
And back in Germany he did it again, continuing his formidable form to make it 43 goals in 43 games. It’s worth dwelling on that statistic for just a moment.
Dortmund's interim coach, Edin Terzic, was pleased with the result, but was measured in his praise of the team.
"We came here to win the derby, and we succeeded," he said, with a smile on his face. "We are very pleased with the way we scored the goals. The way we performed in Seville and here is, of course, what we want. But it's a process, it will take time, there will be setbacks.
