Erling Haaland (front) of Dortmund vies with Nico Elvedi of Moenchengladbach during a German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Dortmund, Germany, Sept. 19, 2020. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund eased past Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 in their Bundesliga opener on Saturday thanks to Erling Haaland's second-half brace.
From the kickoff, the "BVB" assumed control and implemented their offensively minded strategy while the Foals lurked for their chances on the counter.
Dortmund controlled possession but had to wait until the 21st minute for their first clear-cut chance, as Haaland's header called Yann Sommer into action.
The prolific Norwegian striker had another chance later but defender Nico Elvedi blocked his effort.
Monchengladbach approached Dortmund's goal dangerously for the first time in the 32nd minute when custodian Roman Burki saved Jonas Hofmann's shot from very close range.
Dortmund broke the deadlock courtesy of two 17-year-old youngsters, as new arrival Jude Bellingham passed into the path of Giovanni Reyna, who drilled the ball right-footed into the far corner in the 35th minute.
Five minutes later, the crossbar denied Dortmund a greater lead before the break, as Jadon Sancho's header bounced off the woodwork.
The Foals responded but neither Stefan Lainer nor Lars Stindl was able to overcome Burki before the half-time whistle.
After the restart, Dortmund started where they left off and controlled proceedings.
Ramy Bensebaini couldn't hold the pace and tripped Reyna up inside the box. The video assistant referee intervened and awarded the "BVB" a penalty. Haaland stepped up and sent Sommer into the wrong corner to double the lead in the 54th minute.
The hosts almost made it four moments later but Matthias Ginter hacked Felix Passlack's shot off the goal line.
Marco Rose's men threw everyone up front but got caught flat-footed following a corner, as Sancho had a lot of green ahead and teed up for Haaland, who put the result beyond doubt after wrapping up his brace in the 78th minute.
"We had two big chances in the first half but Dortmund were more effective and clinical in front of the target today," Monchengladbach head coach Rose said.
The following games conclude the first round on Sunday: RB Leipzig face Mainz, while Wolfsburg host Bayer Leverkusen. Enditem
