MUCH WAS MADE when Jurgen Klopp decided to walk away from Borussia Dortmund at the end of a turbulent season for the German club.
In early February, they were bottom of the top-flight, having previously enjoyed a remarkable spell that saw them win back-to-back league titles in 2011 and 2012 and finishing as Champions League runners-up in 2014.
Somehow, Klopp pushed Dortmund to finish seventh and scrape a Europa League qualification place.
So, you’d forgive even the most hardcore Dortmund supporter for thinking this season may have been difficult – a transitional campaign with a new coach in Thomas Tuchel trying to get used to the bigger responsibility and greater expectations.
But Dortmund have started this season superbly.
They’ve played six games, winning them all. They’ve racked up 26 goals and conceded five.
On Thursday night, they faced Norwegian side Odd in the return leg of their Europa League play-off. And after conjuring a superb comeback in the first game (they trailed 3-0 after just 22 minutes and finished 4-3 in front), they blitzed their guests in front of a mammoth crowd of 64,000 at the Signal-Iduna Park.
Marco Reus popped up with a hat-trick, Shinji Kagawa scored twice while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Gundogan were also on the mark.
Dortmund ran out 7-2 winners, taking the tie 11-5 on aggregate.
Next up for them is a clash with Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Europa League play-offs, Ajax made it through after a scoreless draw with Czech side Jablonec, Athletic Bilbao had away goals to thank for progressing against Slovakian outfit Zilina while Norwegian club Molde went down 3-1 to Standard Liege but still won out on away goals.
Arguably the biggest shock came in Greece as Panathinaikos were eliminated by Qabala from Azerbaijan.
Sorry to be a pain but ye’re coverage of the Vuelta is shocking . Two lads 3rd and 4th in a grand tour in GC and only a few lines here and there over the last few days . Instead of writing an essay on your mcgregor man crushes maybe look further afield
No one likes cycling man. Its sh*te.
I agree bike riding is rubbish..
Each to their own I say
Bit hypocritical
Is the Vuetla not rubbish because all the best riders are knackered from the Tour?
Great club. Would love to see them back in the CL where they belong not this jokers competition. What a shame it was they never won the CL, Klopp did an incredible job during his tenure hope this is the start of the recovery.
Ask Seville if they think it’s a joke.
Hope Liverpool get them in the draw tomorrow would be a class match in Germany
Or if Celtic got Liverpool. The atmosphere would be electric
How so
How so Hubert ?
Originally thought you were insulting mma and mcgregor above and then saying each to their own when cycling was ridiculed! My bad! That reason enough for you?
Sound