BERLIN (AP) – Erling Haaland scored when Borussia Dortmund beat former Bundesliga rival Schalke 3-0 to stabilize the shipment after a loss to Lazio in the Champions League.
Returning from an era of isolation after a coronavirus test, Manuel Akanji made the breakthrough for Dortmund by scoring in a 55th-minute rebound against a hyper-defensive Schalke.
Haaland did the 2-0 six minutes later with a shot at the goalkeeper and celebrated his fifth goal of the season in the league with a jump into the air, while Mats Hummels added a third with a headbutt to a corner.
A much-needed victory for Dortmund, who had lost three of their last five matches, adding the 3–1 loss to Lazio, and must reinforce their European hopes against Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
After being defeated 8-0 through Bayern Munich and 4-0 through Leipzig and this season, Schalke started opposing Dortmund with few obvious ambitions that were not profound and waiting 90 minutes. Schalke arrived at half-time with 0-0 still with only 28% possession.
The three-purpose margin is arguably the expected minimum for Dortmund since Schalke last won a league match in January. Schalke is plunged into monetary disorders exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and has a purpose difference of -17 after five games.
A cut that is one of Germany’s most eye-watching and ferocious rivalries was played in front of just three hundred spectators determined between Dortmund’s memberships and subscribers, and despite these measures, an amateur dressed in a Schalke blouse was seen in the stands.
CRUISES TO BAYERN TO WIN
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat trick for Bayern Munich to continue where he left off in the Bundesliga with a 5-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
The Polish star scored in Bayern’s 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in their first Champions League match on Wednesday and obviously felt the need to make up for his total of 10 goals in five Bundesliga matches.
Bayern suffered a blow when Alphonso Davies left with what looked like a serious ankle injury in the 3rd minute and Lucas Hernandez replaced the 19-year-old Canadian.
Lewandowski’s display began shortly after, following his hat-trick in 61, Lewandowski retired.
Leroy Sané continued his return from injury and scored the chance for a goal at the post five minutes later, and Jamal Musiala, 17, closed the scoring at the last minute.
LEIPZIG REMAINS IN THE FIRST
Marcel Sabitzer penalty enough for Leipzig to stay ahead of the championship after beating Hertha Berlin 2-1.
Jhon Cordoba sent Hertha back to the front, but Dayot Upamecano showed perseverance in providing a quick response.
Hertha sent Deyovaisio Zeefuik to rest. The Dutch defender anatoished almost without delay and expelled with his yellow card moment at 50.
Cordoba awarded the penalty for foul by Willi Orban and Sabitzer fit in at 77.
Leipzig remained one point ahead of Bayern after matches.
HELP FROM THE CORNER FLAG
Hertha’s rival, Union Berlin, had to settle for a 1–1 draw with Freiburg.
Borussia Monchengladbach went back 2–1 to beat Mainz 3–2 in the final round, three days before Real Madrid in the Champions League. This will be the first meeting between Gladbach and Madrid since 1985.
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Ellingworth reported from Dusseldorf, Germany.
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