The Borussia Dortmund had fun in the Ruhr derby by crushing Schalke 3-0. The German “Big Three” won on this fifth day, and continue their struggle in the lead: Leipzig, 2-1 winner of Union Berlin, leads with 13 points. Bayern, who outscored Frankfurt 5-0, and Dortmund follow with 12 points. Behind, the hole is already made: Stuttgart, provisional fourth, has only 8 points. At best, Augsburg and Bremen can come back to 10 points.
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In the near-camera of Signal Iduna Park (300 spectators), Swiss defender Manuel Akanji (1-0, 55th) and young Norwegian talent Erling Haaland (2-0, 61st) scored in quick succession the two goals that brought Schalke to his knees. Mats Hummels, the other central defender, placed a perfect header from a corner for the third goal (3-0, 78th).
Dortmund took a long time to materialize their obvious superiority, which allowed them to completely muzzle their opponent. Schalke did not frame a shot in 90 minutes, and for a long time was content to push back with discipline and courage the successive yellow waves, until Akanji gave way to the dyke, at the conclusion of a combination of school on corner. This victory will undoubtedly calm, for a few days at least, the criticisms towards the coach of BVB Lucien Favre, again in the hot seat this week after a soulless performance in the Champions League in Rome against Lazio (defeat 3-1) .
For two seasons, commentators have criticized him for his inability to instill in the team the flame and combativeness necessary at the highest level. The leaders support him, but the debate rebounds with each failed match of the yellow and black, whose individual talent is, it is true, more evident than the strength of character. Schalke now remains in 21 consecutive games without a win in the Bundesliga (straddling two seasons) and stagnates with a single point in 17th and penultimate place, light years away from the ambitions of their leaders a year ago.
After five days, the “royal blues” conceded 19 goals and scored only two, despite a change of coach after only two days. This historic pillar of German football is now doomed to fight for its retention in the elite.
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