BVB cruise into second round with 5-0 win

Boris Rupert reporting from Duisburg

The Coronavirus regulations in North Rhine-Westphalia meant that 300 spectators were allowed to attend the match. They were treated to an exceptional performance from last season's Bundesliga runners-up, who had a 3-0 lead and a one-man advantage by half-time. Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Thorgan Hazard scored the first-half goals, while Axel Witsel extended the advantage to 4-0 shortly after the break. Just seconds after coming on as a substitute, Marco Reus hit the target to make it 4-0.

The scenario: 
Third tier played host to first tier. The first competitive match of the new season for both teams, who had gone head-to-head in a reduced length friendly (2 x 30 minutes) just three weeks ago in which the Black & Yellows ran out 5-1 winners. The only previous DFB Cup meeting between the two sides came back in 1974/75, with MSV snatching a 2-1 win after extra time. 

Personnel matters: 
A hip problem meant that Bürki was replaced by Hitz in the BVB goal, while Guerreiro was also sidelined by a muscle strain. They joined Morey, Schmelzer, Schulz and Zagadou on the list of absentees. The inclusion of Bellingham and Reyna meant that two 17-year-olds were in the starting line-up. 

Tactics:  
Lucien Favre sent his team out in a 3-5-2 formation, with Witsel acting as the sole defensive midfielder in front of the three-man rearguard of Akanji, Hummels and Can. Meunier and Hazard played on the right and left side of midfield respectively. Reyna and Bellingham played in more advanced central midfield roles, while Sancho and Haaland formed a striking partnership up top. MSV lined up in a 4-1-4-1 system. 

The match & analysis:
MSV got off to a courageous and bold start, which allowed for an open game of football. BVB looked particularly dangerous when attacking down the right wing. Meunier, given excellent service by Bellingham on several occasions, looked to turn on the jet heels and attack at pace. Although the team had never previously played together in this formation, they managed to conjure up some eye-catching interplay. Special praise must go to Hazard, who was playing in an unfamiliar, more defensive-minded position on the left. 

The first real sight of goal came in the 5th minute. Bellingham played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Meunier, who delivered a cross into the box which was met by the head of Reyna. Haaland tried to get an all-important touch, but he just failed to connect, meaning MSV goalkeeper Weinkauf was able to make the save.

BVB were comfortably on top. Witsel burst clear down the left-hand side of the Duisburg box and sent a cross into the goalmouth area. MSV right-back Sauer was unable to get his arm out the way and deflected the ball onto goalkeeper Weinkauf. Referee Kampka deemed it handball and pointed to the spot. Sancho duly stepped up to convert and make it 1-0. 

Midway through the first half, Borussia had enjoyed 70% percent of possession and had had four shots on goal compared to just one for MSV. The fifth effort on goal came via an Emre Can free-kick from 30 metres out in the 25th minute. Weinkauf was severely tested but he managed to get a strong hand to it to send the ball over the bar.

Five minutes later, the Black & Yellows made it 2-0 thanks to some exceptional attacking play. Reyna won the ball in midfield and found Meunier in space down the right wing. The Belgian picked out Hazard with a cross, who then played a neat backheel into the path of the onrushing Bellingham, who took a touch and fired a shot goalwards. Weinkauf got his leg in the way but was powerless to prevent the ball finding the back of the net. 

What was arguably the critical moment of the match came in the 38th minute: Haaland was sent clear on goal by Hazard before being hacked down from behind by Volkmer. The referee had no choice but to show a red card for a ''last man'' foul. Hazard stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and duly sent a sumptuous curling effort into the top-left corner from 25 metres out to make it 3-0. 

Lucien Favre made one change at half-time, Delaney came on to replace Bellingham, who had picked up a booking for kicking the ball away. His partner in central-midfield, Reyna, lined up a free-kick in the 50th minute. His effort fizzed goalwards before taking a deflection off Witsel which left Weinkauf with no chance and extended the Black & Yellow lead to 4-0. Just seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 57th minute, Reus received the ball from Sancho and drove into the box before applying a cool finish to make it 5-0. 

MSV were all at sea. It was now an entirely one-sided affair, despite the fact that Favre - perhaps with a view to conserving energy for the Bundesliga opener on Saturday - had used up his entire contingent of five substitutes by the 64th minute. Meunier, Reyna, Haaland and Sancho all joined Bellingham in taking an early shower. 

All the goals and highlights with one click

Outlook: 
The draw for the Second Round of the DFB Cup will be made this Sunday and the fixture will then take place on 22/23 December. BVB will get the 58th Bundesliga season underway on Saturday when they host Borussia Mönchengladbach (kick-off 18:30 CET). 

Teams & goals