Dortmund beat Mainz, Monchengladbach shock Leverkusen in German Bundesliga
Xinhua, August 28, 2016 Adjust font size:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's brace ensured Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 win over Mainz and Leverkusen lost 2-1 to Monchengladbach due to Lars Stindl late goal at the first round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
Thomas Tuchel's men start with a victory into the new Bundesliga season as Aubameyang scored twice to edge Mainz 2-1 on home soil.
The "BVB" took the reins from kick-off and needed only 16 minutes to work out their first chance through Aubameyang, who headed a promising opportunity over the bar.
The Gabon international staged a better figure moments later as he nodded home Andre Schuerrle's cross to the far post to open the scoring with 17 minutes into the game.
Mainz responded well but neither Christian Clemens nor Karim Onisiwo were able to restore parity before the break. The visitors continued their resilient performance after the restart as Clemens left another chance unused in the 48th minute.
As the match progressed, Dortmund gained control of the match yet the hosts missed few shots on target before a foul-play penalty allowed Aubameyang to seal his brace, and to put the game beyond doubt in the 89th minute.
Mainz did not give up and were able to reward their efforts as Yoshinori Muto reduced the arrears in the closing period. However, Martin Schmidt's men start with a defeat into the season as their goal came too late.
Monchengladbach maintain their momentum, after wrapping their UEFA Champions League berth on Wednesday, as they overpowered Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the Bundesliga. Both sides staged a fast paced encounter with many chances at both ends of the pitch.
Monchengladbach's Andre Hahn finally made use of his third golden opportunity as Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah headed the ball accidentally into the path of the striker, who beat onrushing goalkeeper Bernd Leno for the opener just before the break.
Leverkusen tried to respond after the interval but Kevin Kampl's shot from sharp angle got denied from the left post before Monchengladbach's custodian Yann Sommer defused Karim Bellarabi's shot on target.
Nevertheless, Roger Schmidt's men continued to press, and their efforts paid out in the 80th minute after substitute Joel Pohjanpalo, who was fielded three minutes earlier, headed home Bellarabi's build up work for the equalizer.
Monchengladbach remained unimpressed and responded just five minutes later as Lars Stindl grabbed the 2-1 winner thanks the through ball from substitute Thorgan Hazard.
Elsewhere, Schalke started with a setback into the season as ten-men Frankfurt overcame the "Royal Blues" with a narrow 1-0 thanks to the first-half goal from Alexander Meier.
Cologne moved 2-0 past Darmstadt as Anthony Modeste and Marcel Risse scored the goals for the "Billy Goats" .
Hamburg gave away their 1-0 lead as Lukas Hinterseer levelled the scores to snatch Ingolstadt a 1-1 draw on the road.
Wolfsburg reaped three points at Augsburg after new arrival Daniel Didavi and Ricardo Rodriguez provided the 2-0 away victory.
The following fixtures complete the first round in Bundesliga on Sunday: Hertha Berlin host newly promoted Freiburg and Hoffenheim encounter newly promoted Leipzig. Endit