"Auba, how many goals have you got now?" – "Fifteen" – "In how many matches?" – "Thirteen. Not bad, right?". Marco Reus broke out in a grin. The midfielder was interviewing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the mixed zone following the 4-1 victory over Gladbach, with both players standing arm-in-arm in front of the BVBtotal! microphone. It's no secret that the pair have a good professional and private relationship, but it's been a while since they've been able to demonstrate that close connection on the pitch. The first real taster came on Saturday afternoon. 

BVB dictated proceedings from the very first whistle against Borussia Mönchengladbach – repeatedly spurred on by Marco Reus on the left, who frequently picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward from deep before looking to feed Aubameyang in the centre-forward position. "The injury and the long spell out over the last six months have made him even more mature," said Thomas Tuchel prior to the match. The BVB boss has waited a long time to unleash his protégé, who has been itching to play for weeks, for the full duration. Reus has been reintroduced to first-team action with the utmost caution – and it has paid off. "Now Marco is back again and the manner in which he has returned and the attitude he has shown over the last few weeks have been fantastic," the head coach said.

"One of the best players that we have"

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Reus looks relaxed, whether it's in a match, a training session or an interview. The levity is back. He demonstrated as much against Warsaw, scoring three goals (of which two were attributed to him) and setting up another two. He followed that up with another three assists against Gladbach, including one which – if such an award were to exist – would definitely be a candidate for "Assist of the Year": the 27-year-old controlled Ousmane Dembélé's pass superbly, then accelerated at breakneck speed through the Gladbach penalty area before flicking the ball exquisitely for Aubameyang to poke home BVB's fourth. "The assist was just crazy," said the Gabon international after the match. "But that's Marco Reus. You know him. I'm very happy that he's back. He's one of the best players that we have."

The compliment was immediately returned by the flattered Reus. "It's just like last year. We need Auba's goals. And when Auba scores goals, we're all happy." Dortmund's striker-in-chief certainly scores them. So often in fact, that his tally of 15 in the Bundesliga this season makes him the highest-scoring player across Europe's top leagues. He now boasts a three-goal lead over his closest chaser in the German top flight, Anthony Modeste, with a showdown between the two top marksman coming up in one week's time when BVB travel away to 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga. "I hope I score in that one," quipped Aubameyang. "If I manage it, I'll be sharing a joke or two with Anthony (Modeste)."

Dembélé the difference

No doubt the pair would resort to their mother tongue in that scenario: French. If overheard, it is a conversation that might bring a smile to the face of Ousmane Dembélé, another French speaker who is striving to match the outstanding performances put in by Aubameyang and Modeste week-in week-out. The 19-year-old was involved in all four goals against Gladbach – for the first he played the decisive pass to provider Reus; he set the second up with a corner-kick; he scored the third himself; and then showed great strength to initiate the fourth (see above) – and is another who is developing well. A player that might have seemed slightly selfish in certain situations earlier in the campaign proved against Gladbach that he picks out his team-mates when it matters.

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That hasn't escaped the attention of Thomas Tuchel, who singled out the young Frenchman for praise after the game. "Today was one of his best performances because he showed great care with our possession when he was in situations where dribbling wasn't appropriate. He was really attentive and hard-working with his defensive duties, and made the difference in the situations that we want him to – and in which he is permitted to," said Tuchel. 

BVB's display marked a quick turnaround from the defeat in Frankfurt and the ensuing criticism from their head coach. "The goal we conceded was down to a lapse in concentration, but otherwise we had the match completely under control," analysed Nuri Sahin, who unfortunately had to be substituted off with a knee problem after just over half an hour of his first Bundesliga appearance of the season. I told the lads in the pre-match huddle that we can't afford any more slip-ups. None of us can take our foot off the gas before the winter break. Today was the first step," the Turkey international continued.

Not bad, right, Auba?

The next step comes in a week's time away to 1. FC Köln. But before that the Black and Yellows travel to Madrid, where they will take on Real for top spot in UEFA Champions League Group F. A draw will be enough for Borussia Dortmund in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. It certainly won't be an easy task against a Los Blancos side containing Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos and Co, but if Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Co. continue where they left off on Saturday, nothing is impossible. Since returning from his spell on the sidelines, Reus has now scored three goals and set up five in three matches this season. Not bad, right, Auba?
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich

BVB total! video: Interview with Auba feat. Marco