Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang make strong debuts
On their way down to Bad Ragaz to commence a training camp, BVB stopped off at the home of last season´s Europa League semi-finalists FC Basel and won the game 3-1 (2-1). The Polish contingent returned to the ranks while three others made their debut in the ´Black n Yellow´.
Boris Rupert reports from Basel
Jürgen Klopp opted not to use any new arrivals or late returnees in the 3-0 win over Magdeburg on Monday but in Basel Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sokratis made first starts while Kuba and Lewandowski returned to on-field duties.
18,696 gathered to see a decent game played in warm sunshine and will have noticed how, particularly in the first half, that Sokratis and Mkhitaryan are real assets. Both impressed with the new playmaker playing a starring role. On eleven minutes it was his pass that gave Reus the simple task of tappng the ball home. Mkhitaryan scored the second himself after fine play with Sahin and if Lewandowski hadn´t been denied by the post right at the close of the half, Mkhitaryan would have been involved in all three goals.
There were two less happy things to note in the first period; first the way in which Schär was able to get on the end of a free-kick and nod home unchallenged, and also the fact that Schmelzer had to leave the field after 30 minutes with adductor problems.
The second half started as the first had ended with the ball thudding against the post, this time Aubameyang being denied after receiving a pass from Gündogan. The quicksilver recruit from St Etienne did well but, save for a Großkreutz hammer well saved by Sommer, chances were at a premium. Basel were slightly dominant and pushed on for an equaliser even managing to register a goal, correctly chalked off for offside. However, at the death, Hofmann made it 3-1 to BVB after a pass from Sarr.
The team then climbed aboard the bus for the 150km ride to Bad Ragz near St Gallen. The team will remain there until 18 July preparing for the 51st Bundesliga season. A number of U23 players are with the party; keeper Hohmann (new) and Durm, Sarr, Bandowski and Ducksch while Hofmann is now firmly part of the first team squad.
BVB 1st half:Weidenfeller - Durm, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer (32. Bandowski) - Bender, Sahin - Blaszczykowski, Mkhitaryan, Reus - Lewandowski
BVB 2nd half: Weidenfeller - Großkreutz, Subotic, Sarr, Bandowski - Gündogan, Kirch - Hofmann, Ducksch, Aubameyang - Schieber
Goals:0:1 Reus (11.), 1:1 Schär (17.), 1:2 Mkhitaryan (26.), 1:3 Hofmann (90.)
Attendance: 18.969, Referee:Bieri