Europa League holders Atletico Madrid travelled to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund in Group A of the Champions League at the Signal Iduna Park. Both teams started their campaigns with two victories so it was likely that something would give tonight. Axel Witsel is highly regarded around Europe and proved so again with a stellar performance as Dortmund put Atletico away 4-0.
Exciting Performance from Axel Witsel Key to Dortmund Victory
At 29 years of age, Axel Witsel is hitting his prime. He floated around the pitch and caused Atletico problems all night. Diego Simeone, the Atletico boss barked at his charges to pick up Witsel time after time but they did not heed their manager’s warnings. On 38 minutes, Achraf Hakimi got the ball on the left and played a delightful ball across the box which Witsel gladly finished.
English Starlet Jadon Sancho Not Fazed by the Biggest Stage
Following on from his first England cap, Jadon Sancho came on from the bench to score as Dortmund took a 3-0 lead. Sancho is fast becoming a star in Germany and Europe’s biggest clubs are watching the young man’s progress very closely. Even though it was a short cameo against Atletico, the young man looks assured and surely has a bright future ahead of him.
Dortmund Fire Rest of Europe Warning
Borussia Dortmund have had a great start to the Bundesliga season and play fast flowing attacking football. Against an Atletico Madrid team with names such as Diego Costa and Filipe Luis in the line up, Dortmund simply played Atletico off the park. At times Atletico were chasing shadows and the pass and move of Dortmund beguiled and confused them.
Hakimi marauded down the left-hand side throughout the game and there was also time for Raphael Guerreiro to come off the bench to slot home two goals both after lovely football.
On this showing, Borussia Dortmund are a team that no one will want to play. There is still some way to go in the group stage but if, as expected, Dortmund do proceed, they could well be the team to look out for as this season’s Champions League continues.
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