Borussia Dortmund have won back-to-back derbies for the first time since 2015 and have done so by the biggest margins of victory (4-0 in May 2020, 3-0 in October) since their 6-2 and 7-0 triumphs in 1966. A fitting occasion for Favre to reach a double landmark.

The Swiss coach oversaw his 300th Bundesliga game from the dugout while at the same time recording his 150th victory in the German top-flight. "It was a deserved 3-0. I'm satisfied. We showed patience – and that was necessary because Schalke defended and pressed well. It got slightly easier after the quick goal in the second half," Favre said.

We actually reported that Favre had reached the milestones a week ago – which was not exactly wrong but nor was it entirely correct. Hoffenheim was officially his 300th game in charge as a head coach, but given that he missed a match in February 2019 (at home to Hoffenheim) and passed on the coaching duties to his assistants Edin Terzic and Manfred Stefes, yesterday was actually his 300th game in the dugout.

Favre spoke about other numbers. And about formations. With one exception, he has consistently lined his team up with a back three over the course of the last 11 months. But against Schalke he reverted to a four-man defence, which freed up one player (Delaney) for midfield. "We started to play with the 3-4-3 system in November 2019," he explained at the press conference, adding: "Today we played a 4-4-2. I don't know what it'll be in the next match. We train a lot of systems. 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3."

"It is working. I think that we've produced some very, very good performances this season and I believe that we'll achieve good things this season together with the coach," said Julian Brandt of the Swiss tactician, with Mats Hummels adding: "I think he's a very good coach and we really enjoy working with him. But I don't think it's ever good to chat about these things as a player. There are people who are responsible for that."
Boris Rupert