Freiburg posed a few threats in the first half, but overall they only managed a total of four shots on goal, with their last-minute goal proving nothing more than a consolation. Most of BVB’s shots on goal (seven of 15) came in the closing 15 minutes of the first half, which was also when they scored their first two goals.

Favourite opponents: Borussiad Dortmund have extended their winning run over Freiburg to nine games and climbed to third in the Bundesliga table.

Hammering: Sportclub have conceded at least three goals in the last five games at Signal Iduna Park.

Worked their way into the game: Borussia Dortmund had a tackle success rate of 51 percent in the opening 30 minutes, while they won 67 percent of the challenges in the final 15 minutes of the first half.

Goal drought ended: After 14 games and 783 minutes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated his first goal in the Bundesliga since 15 February 2014 (against Frankfurt).

Breathless return: Shinji Kagawa covered a distance of 8.4 kilometres until his substitution (only four Dortmund players ran more), enjoyed 41 touches of the ball and had two shots on goal. Prior to Saturday’s match, the Japanese hadn’t scored a competitive goal since May 2013, failing to find the net in the entire 2013/14 campaign. On Saturday, on his return to BVB, he managed to score one and create one.

Constant threat: Adrian Ramos had a hand in three of Borussia’s 11 shots on goal (had three, created four) until his substitution. He has scored in each of his three competitive matches for BVB so far (before against Augsburg and Stuttgarter Kickers).

Debut: Joseph Gyau, who made his international debut for Jürgen Klinsmann’s US team in the 1-0 win at the Czech Republic on 3 September, was called up to BVB’s first team squad for the first time. Last season, he made two substitute appearances for Hoffenheim, and this season he has played seven games for BVB’s reserve side in the third division (two goals).

Fit again: Marcel Schmelzer was included in the BVB squad for the first time in the Bundesliga this season after recovering from a torn thigh muscle, with his only game this season being the 2-0 win over Bayern in the Supercup on 13 August.