The pair joined BVB during the winter transfer window from Red Bull Salzburg and Juventus respectively, and both soon became first-team regulars in Lucien Favre’s side, who finished the season as Bundesliga runners-up behind Bayern Munich.
Haaland announced his arrival in style, scoring a hat-trick on the bench in Augsburg in the 18th round to claim a 5-3 win from behind. Even at 19, the 6’3-inch power ended the crusade with thirteen league goals at a pace of one each and every 81 minutes, precisely the same time as Bayern’s most sensible goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski, with 34 goals.
Video: Highlights of Haaland’s first hat-trick in Augsburg
This is one of the reasons can be among the young striker’s fan-developing organization. “Erling has everything a striker needs,” Germany’s foreigner told Dortmund’s official website.
“It’s incredibly fast, it’s big, it’s in the air, it has a chance and you know what the purpose is. She is also incredibly mature for her age. Erling lives very professionally. If he keeps it up, he’s got a huge career forward.”
This professionalism manifests itself in a relentless pursuit of marginal gains. “While we play cards on outdoor travel, he only reads clinical articles on how to improve sleep or nutrition,” recalled former Salzburg partner Maximilian Wober in an interview with Goal in December 2019. “He’s looking for the smallest details.
This mentality left a wonderful impression on Can. “We communicate a lot about how we can and how we can make the most of our strengths to make the team successful,” the 26-year-old said.
“We think the same way. We have to succeed and we put pressure on each other. Erling has a normal mindset. I like his mentality.
Having finished thirteen editions of Bayern in 2019/20, Dortmund hopes to reap the rewards of understanding the duo while renewing their quest to dethrone the 29-time Bundesliga champions when the new season begins on 18 September.
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