Borussia Dortmund vs. Odds BK: Winners and Losers from Europa League Game
Borussia Dortmund cruised into the UEFA Europa League group stage after routing Odds BK 7-2 on Thursday in the second leg of the two teams' playoff tie. The result gave Dortmund an 11-5 aggregate victory after the German side won the first leg, 4-3, last week in Norway.
Odds took the lead in the 19th minute through Ole Jorgen Halvorsen, but Dortmund dominated the match from that point on. Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalized in the 25th minute, and Marco Reus made it 2-1 just two minutes later.
Reus finished with three goals, while Shinji Kagawa netted twice. Ilkay Gundogan also added a goal for Dortmund, who will now turn their attention back to the Bundesliga and Sunday's home match against Hertha Berlin.
Oliver Berg scored the other goal for Odds, who held a 3-0 lead in the first leg before seeing Dortmund storm to a runaway win.
Here, B/R selects winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Marco Reus
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Marco Reus led Dortmund on the scoresheet with a fine hat-trick, netting goals in the 27th, 32nd and 57th minutes.
First, he scored from close range following good work down the right by Ilkay Gundogan. For his second, he fired into the net with accuracy after Henrikh Mkhitaryan volleyed Gundogan's lofted cross into his path. For the third, he bundled another Mkhitaryan cross over the line at the back post.
All three goals were essentially tap-ins, meaning they weren't the most difficult finishes in Reus' career. But the nature of each strike illustrated how Reus placed himself in the right position at the right moment to maximize the danger.
Following the hat-trick, Reus now has six goals in all competitions this season, including four in the Europa League. Both player and club must be absolutely thrilled with the prospect of the new campaign after Reus spent so much of the previous season sidelined by injury.
Winner: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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Much like his club, Henrikh Mkhitaryan can't seem to stop creating goals. After scoring once in the first leg last week, the Armenian attacking midfielder added another goal and two assists in the return match at the Signal-Iduna Park.
His goal was especially crucial because it represented the equalizer after Odds had taken a stunning lead in the 19th minute. And it was an impressive strike as well, with Mkhitaryan cutting in from the left and smashing a fierce shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
He then assisted two goals for Reus, including the go-ahead strike just moments after the equalizer.
So, then, in just seven games this season in all competitions, Mkhitaryan has scored eight goals and assisted six more. Those are eye-catching numbers that underline his importance to the team's attacking ambitions. Before this season, Mkhitaryan hadn't quite delivered on his immense talent, but this is shaping up to be quite the breakout campaign for the Armenian.
Winner: Ilkay Gundogan
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Scoring and setting up goals isn't always the biggest part of Ilkay Gundogan's game. A central midfielder by trade, the German keeps Dortmund's engine room running with offensive and defensive contributions all over the pitch.
On Thursday, though, he was a valuable weapon for Dortmund. In the 27th minute, with the game level at 1-1, Gundogan won possession deep on the right, dribbled toward the endline and pulled back a killer pass to Marco Reus, who finished with ease. It was a brilliant play that highlighted all the best parts of Gundogan's game.
Just five minutes later, he helped set up the goal that gave Dortmund a lead they would never relinquish. With the ball at his feet in a central area, well outside the box, Gundogan chipped an accurate pass to Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the left. Mkhitaryan volleyed to Reus, who again finished with ease. Gundogan won't receive credit for the assist, but he did as much as anyone to set up the goal.
Much like Mkhitaryan, Gundogan appears back to his best under first-year manager Thomas Tuchel. With an in-form Gundogan manning central midfield, Dortmund will be a formidable foe for anyone this season.
Loser: Odds BK
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Admittedly, there were some positives for Odds.
Yes, playing a team like Dortmund in the Europa League was a valuable experience for Odds, who will return to Norway knowing they scored five times against the German giants.
And, yes, Odds impressed at various points over two legs, giving Dortmund a scare especially in the first leg.
And, yes, Odds managed to compete (at least for 120 minutes or so) even though Dortmund had an obvious advantage in talent.
But consider this: Odds led this tie 3-0 at one point and managed to lose 11-5. The Norwegian side scored first in both games but then let in a spate of goals both times. After holding a three-goal lead, Odds must have felt like they could have done better.
Winner: Dortmund and Thomas Tuchel
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Life is good at the moment for Borussia Dortmund and first-year manager Thomas Tuchel. After taking over from a club legend like Jurgen Klopp, Tuchel knew he faced a difficult task. But the returns so far are impressive.
Dortmund have played seven competitive matches so far this season. In those seven matches, all wins, BVB have outscored their opponents 27-5. In addition to qualifying for the Europa League group stage, Tuchel's team sits atop the Bundesliga through two rounds, ahead of Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus and Shinji Kagawa look rejuvenated.
It's early, of course. Very early. And this team will face much stronger challenges as the season continues. But Tuchel and Dortmund have to feel encouraged by their outstanding start.
