Within 75 seconds, the substitute had already put the ball in the net. "Sometimes it's easier to come off the bench. Ingolstadt were tiring and we then had slightly more space in the box," said match-winner Thorgan Hazard – who also scored the second goal – after the 2-0 victory in the DFB-Pokal. It was the Belgian's first brace in a BVB shirt.

The spectators in the stands, the viewers at home and those who were listening carefully on TV will have witnessed that football coaches can make a decisive impact on matches from the outside. Prior to the game, Marco Rose had pointed out in video sequences what runs the strikers should make: "Into the box", revealed Hazard and double provider Brandt afterwards in interviews. "Our coaching staff does a great job and prepares us well for matches like this," added Brandt.

The shot ratio read 18-3 in Dortmund's favour by the end. "We were very patient, already had two major chances before the interval, gave away little and then upped the ante in the second half. The opposition started to tire at some point. We brought it home with a serious performance," said Rose, as he reflected on the match. "It was initially difficult to find gaps. In the second half with the fans we then found more dynamism," added Marin Pongracic. Jude Bellingham believes that the substitutions were decisive, saying: "We made a good impact from the bench."

Rose, who had initially left constant starters Marco Reus and Manuel Akanji on the bench ("It was absolutely necessary to react there. We managed that well"), initiated the victory with a substitution in the 71st minute. Of match-winner Hazard, he said: "He made the difference. He got his reward with his goals. I hope that gives him a boost. It's important that he stays fit. We will need different players to score goals in the coming weeks if we are to have success with our football."

There is some personnel relief in sight. "We're hoping that Muki (Youssoufa Moukoko) will be in the matchday squad for Saturday. The same for Dony (Malen). In Mo Dahoud's case, we're hoping that it works out," said Rose. Because the fixture congestion goes on. Ingolstadt was the fourth of seven games in the space of 22 days, with Cologne, Ajax and Leipzig all to come by 6 November. And then the internationals will be away with their countries...
Boris Rupert