Match day 1 of Bundesliga season 2016/2017 is history now. Borussia Dortmund started the season for the ninth time since 2000 and for the seventh time since 2008 with a victory. They beat 1. FSV Mainz 05 2-1 - they have never lost at home to Mainz.

Thomas Tuchel did also have some criticism after winning the first three points. The BVB Head Coach didn't put so much emphasis on the praise Mainz Head Coach Martin Schmidt had for his team ("we defended against an attacking and passing machine for 90 minutes): "today we were more like a little attacking and passing machine. That wasn't a real machine."

Too many things didn't seem to work out against 05. This was despite being very happy about the early goal by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (17.) and making sure they did an excellent job of holding their lead until the end in tropical temperatures.

„Didn't play fast enough going forward“

Thomas Tuchel explained: „we did not cover the spaces like we should cover them. We took too long to take the game behind their midfield players and to play the ball in front of the Mainz defense." Sebastian Rode, who was one of four new signings in the starting eleven, had a similar view: "Mainz did not make it easy for us. We didn't play fast enough going forward. But in the end all that counts are the three points and we can build on that", was what the 25 year old had to say.

The most important factor for BVB was that they only played 290 passes even though they had 70 per cent possession. Tuchel explained: "this is a very low figure. We made it difficult for ourselves trying to speed up the game with a higher passing rate." The total of 710 passes and 74% possession after 90 minutes were more to Tuchel's liking.

Borussia still looked a bit nervous during certain phases of the game, but they fought hard to make sure they were always on top of things. The BVB Head Coach added: "we didn't find the clean structure and the spaces. And then when we did we made it difficult for ourselves to combine well together. It looked a bit cagey. But we got stuck in and always held our head high. The result is important, especially because we didn't have the best form on the day."

Special praise for Bartra, Dembelé, Rode and Schürrle

Apart from Aubameyang, who got a brace, the four new signings who played from the start - Dembelé, Rode, Bartra and Schürrle - were in top form on the day. BVB captain Marcel Schmelzer said: „compliments to all the new players who were on the pitch today. Their performance was spot on just at the right time." One player who really stood out was André Schürrle. The 25 year old was involved in both goals and this performance combined with his performance in Trier made it a nigh on perfect week for him.

After the 2-1 victory BVB is now in fourth place in the table, which doesn't mean so much at this stage. BVB travels to RB Leibzig in two weeks (8.). The Red Bulls managed to win one point away to Hoffenheim in their Bundesliga premiere (2-2). (fu)