Borussia Dortmund have made the perfect start to a congested run of fixtures by putting in an impressive performance to take all three points with a 3-0 (1-0) victory at Freiburg on Matchday 22.

A sell-out crowd of 24,000 fans at the Schwarzwald-Stadion watched on as Sokratis scored his first goal since December 2015 to break the deadlock for the Black and Yellows (13), who squandered several chances to extend their lead in what remained of the first half. After the interval Aubameyang sealed the win with goals in the 55th and 70th minutes.

The scenario:
"We know we're favourites and we're heading to Freiburg to get the win," said Thomas Tuchel ahead of the Bundesliga clash in Breisgau. Despite having only been promoted last summer, the hosts went into this one in ninth place in the table (30 points) and had only lost one of their last four league matches. Borussia Dortmund, however, had won every single one of their previous 11 Bundesliga meetings with SC Freiburg – the longest winning run they have ever enjoyed over any club in their top-flight history. "I've already considered whether it's actually worth going to the stadium on Saturday," joked Freiburg boss Christian Streich in reference to that record.

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Sokratis is congratulated by Dembélé and Aubameyang after scoring his first Bundesliga goal since netting in a 2-1 win in Cologne on 19 December 2015.

Personnel matters:
Thomas Tuchel made three changes to the starting XI that beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-0 last weekend, recalling Sokratis, Durm and Guerreiro in place of Ginter, Schmelzer and Schürrle, who dropped to the bench. The visitors were without Bender (torn lateral collateral ligament), Sahin (fitness), Götze (muscular problems) and Rode (groin operation). SCF coach Christian Streich, who went into this one without the suspended Haberer, made two changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Hamburg last time out: Frantz and Bulut were drafted in to replace Abrashi and Haberer.

Tactics:
Borussia took to the field in a flexible 3-4-3 formation in which defensive midfielders Castro and Weigl sat in front of a back three of Piszczek, Sokratis and Bartra. Wingers Durm (right) and Guerreiro (left) pushed forward when the visitors had possession but occasionally dropped back to expand the defence into a back four or five, while Dembélé and Reus played just behind or level with Aubameyang, who spearheaded the attack. Freiburg lined up in a 4-4-2 system but were outplayed from the off, prompting Streich to make personnel and tactical changes after just 24 minutes: attacking midfielder Bulut was replaced by Kempf, while the formation was switched to 5-3-2 (back five of Kübler, Söyüncü, Torrejon, Kempf and Günter) as the hosts sought to close ranks.

The match & analysis:
BVB's display away to an SC Freiburg side with a strong home record was superb, with the first 45 minutes a footballing masterclass that highlighted what Borussia Dortmund do well. The Black and Yellows played with boundless enthusiasm, recording 67% possession, more shots on goal (14-2) and a 61% tackle win rate. Without question, the hosts were fortunate to be only 1-0 down at the break.

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Dembelé was brimming with enthusiasm and creative flair in Freiburg.

The men from Breisgau were on the back foot from the outset and were far too profligate in possession. Only two minutes had been played when Söyüncüs was forced to intervene to deny Aubameyang, and the visitors broke the deadlock soon after when an inswinging Guerreiro free-kick from a centre-right position was headed home by an unmarked Sokratis from six metres out (13). Aubameyang and Durm came close to doubling that advantage six minutes later but the former miscontrolled the ball before the latter's follow-up was blocked by Freiburg defender Torrejon.

Dortmund's fourth and fifth biggest chances fell to Aubameyang too, but SCF shot-stopper Schwolow made a double-save to thwart the first (24) before punching clear the second (26). Schwolow was called into action again after half an hour, saving from Guerreiro following a Reus cross, before Aubameyang and Guerreiro came close seconds later. BVB were in cruise control; the only accusation that could be levelled against them was profligacy in front of goal.

Reus with the assist as Aubameyang doubles the lead

The match was all-but over once the visitors found the net again after 55 minutes: Weigl lofted a glorious ball towards Reus, who nutmegged Söyüncüs on the left wing before firing across the face of the six-yard box, where Aubameyang was on hand to end his 471-minute drought with his 18th goal of the season.

Only then did Freiburg spark into life, creating their first real dangerous opportunities when Petersen came close following a corner (59), before substitute Niederlechner's shot on the turn but was beaten away by Bürki shortly afterwards (65). Try as they might, the hosts could not pull one back and were subsequently punished at the other end when Dembélé found Durm, who picked out Auba in the centre for the third (70). It was the Gabon forward's 103rd goal for Borussia, drawing him level with Robert Lewandowski, who played the club between 2010 and 2014.

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Marco Reus launches into the tackle.

Thomas Tuchel opted to rest Dembélé, Reus and Aubameyang in the closing stages with the match already won, bringing on Kagawa (76), Pulisic (81) and Schürrle (82) in their stead. The visitors continued to look comfortable for the remainder, and almost made it four when Kagawa headed goalbound with their 23rd effort of the match.

Prospects:
Number 2 of Borussia's five games in 15 days comes on Tuesday (20:45 CET), when they travel away to third-tier Sportfreunde Lotte in the last eight of the DFB Cup. Next up after that is a Bundesliga clash at home to Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 15:30 CET).

Teams & goals