MOTM Poll: Youth & Squad Players Help Dortmund to 5-1 Win Over Augsburg

With more than an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg in Paris, Borussia Dortmund came into today’s Bundesliga fixture against Augsburg with no intention of taking risks with crucial starters. Edin Terzic fielded a heavily rotated side of kids and squad players. Of course the result was a 5-1 win and probably BVB’s best performance in the league this season.

Two goals from Youssoufa Moukoko sandwiched either side of a Donyell Malen goal gave BVB a three-goal lead in the first half-hour, and even Augsburg’s quick reply, through Ruben Vargas, was not enough to knock Dortmund off their rhythm. BVB responded almost immediately through Marco Reus to go into the break 4-1 up, following the kind of dominant display that has been severely lacking all season. The pace of the game tailed off a bit in the second half, but Dortmund were in control throughout, and Felix Nmecha added to the tally just after the hour mark with a lovely finish from a Marco Reus cutback (his second assist of the afternoon) .

It was precisely what BVB needed ahead of the big game later in the week, even if it was very unexpected! Maybe rotation isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Here are our nominations for Man of the Match in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-1 win against Augsburg:

Kjell Wätjen

Wätjen’s debut for BVB, at 17 years old, was very assured. He barely put a foot wrong and didn’t look out of place at any point in the game. You can’t ask for much more from a kid!

Marco Reus

Having announced on Friday that this season would be his last as a Borussia Dortmund player, Marco Reus returned to the starting lineup today. He put in a brilliant performance to remind any doubters just how good he still is, even at 34 years old. Reus picked up a goal and two assists, but beyond that, he was vital in almost everything good that Dortmund’s offense did against Augsburg.

Felix Nmecha

Dortmund’s fifth goal came when the game slowed down and was all but wrapped up, but Nmecha deserved to get on the scoresheet, having contributed a lot in possession, kicking off multiple dangerous plays from a little deeper than we’re used to seeing him. It has been a debut season to forget for Nmecha, but his performance today was a positive sign.

Youssoufa Moukoko

Listen, you can quibble about just how much Moukoko contributed outside of the two goals, but at some point, you’re just trying too hard to make football more complicated than it is. Score two goals? You’ve had a good day. Moukoko had a good day.