3-0 - BVB clear first hurdle away to Eintracht Trier

A crowd of 10,805 spectators at a sold-out Moselstadion saw Thomas Tuchel's charges make short work of Eintracht Trier in the first half, with Kagawa (8, 33) and Schürrle (45) firing the visitors into a reassuring 3-0 lead. In the second period BVB had a number of chances to extend their lead but were either not clinical enough in front of goal or were denied by Trier shot-stopper Chris Keilmann.

Felix Ulrich reporting

The scenario
The hosts had started their Regional League South West campaign with one point from a possible nine and were clear underdogs against Borussia. "For us it's an event. We want to challenge them on a sporting level too, let's see what we can manage in the end," said Eintracht boss Peter Rubeck. "We'll try to keep the score at 0-0 for as long as possible, then we'll see," added his co-coach Rudi Thömmes. Borussia were looking to avoid a repeat of their last trip to Trier almost 19 years ago, when the Black and Yellows - fresh from their Champions League triumph - lost 2-1 away to Eintracht in the DFB Cup.

Personnel matters
Borussia coach Thomas Tuchel made two changes to the starting XI that lost the Super Cup 2-0 against FC Bayern, bringing in Cup 'keeper Weidenfeller in place of Bürki and replacing Ramos with Schürrle. It was Weidenfeller's 434th competitive appearance for BVB, moving him level with Lars Ricken. Trier's Peter Rubeck made three changes following the goalless draw against FC Homburg: Datrsch, Szimayer and Alawie dropped to the bench as Gladrow, Dittrich und Maurer came in.

Tactics
Trier were strikerless and defensive-minded. Operating in a 5-2-2-1 formation, the regional league outfit attempted to close down spaces and thwart BVB's creative play. The visitors, who lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system, looked to get their full-backs forward each time they regained possession.

The match & analysis
BVB made a highly focused start to the match and hardly gave their defensive-minded opponents any breathing space at all. In the opening 20 minutes the Black and Yellows had 88 percent possession, a pass completion ratio of 92 percent, completed 216 passes - 179 more than their hosts - and took an early lead. Kagawa started and finished off the move in the eight minute, firing home from eight metres following Schürrle's cross and Aubameyang's lay-back.

Eintracht's objective of keeping the score at 0-0 for as long as possible had already failed. While the hosts struggled to get beyond the halfway line, the Black and Yellows moved the ball around in attack as they searched for openings in their opponents' rearguard. A lovely pass from Bartra almost set up the second for Aubameyang, but his shot from a narrow angle crashed against the inside of the right post and was cleared away by Dingels.

And it was Trier's captain - himself a BVB fan - who was on hand again moments later to deny "Auba" (25). There was little he could do in the 33rd minute, though, when Castro played the ball through the middle and Schürrle let it run for Kagawa, who drilled home a second. The visitors then put the match beyond the regional league side's reach shortly before the break when Dembelé sent the ball to Aubameyang on the edge of the area. The Gabon international crossed towards the far post, where Schürrle was waiting to fire home the visitors' third (45).

There was little change in the balance of play after the break. BVB might have dropped down a gear, playing a game of cat and mouse with Trier, but Kagawa soon had a chance to make it 4-0, only for Riedel to throw himself into the path of the Japanese's shot (50). Credit must go to the hosts, who refused to give up and fought passionately long after victory had left their grasp.

On the hour-mark shot-stopper Roman Weidenfeller was called into action, the 36-year-old making a comfortable save from Alawie. After Ramos had replaced Schürrle (55), Thomas Tuchel brought on Mor for Rode (68) and Guerreiro for Dembelé in the closing stages (69).

Mor and Ramos denied by Keilmann

Turkish youngster Mor soon forced Trier custodian Chris Keilmann into a spectacular save with an effort from 20 metres (73), and the 24-year-old then saved Ramos' close-range effort too. The next two chances were squandered as Ramos' header went wide (78), as did Aubameyang's curler (81). With time almost up, the Gabon international hit the post for a second time following a wonderful solo run from Mor (87). If BVB were guilty of anything in the second period, it was a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal. Thereafter the score remained 3-0 in what was a one-sided victory for Borussia.

Prospects
BVB will find out their opponents in the second round of the DFB Cup on Friday when the draw takes place after the opening match of the Bundesliga season (approx. 22:45 CET). The draw will be conducted by national team manager Oliver Bierhoff. Borussia's first Bundesliga game comes against 1. FSV Mainz 05 next Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET).

Teams & goals