Dortmund outclass Wolfsburg

TEENAGER Christian Pulisic scored and created a goal as he replaced want-away Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele to spark Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg yesterday.

The 20-year-old Dembele has attempted to force Dortmund into selling him to the Spanish giants by boycotting training and, having been suspended indefinitely, missed his side’s opening game of the new German league season.

Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc confirmed Dembele will join Barcelona in this transfer window if they meet Borussia’s asking price, reportedly set at €130 million (RM656.65).

“We have a clear position and a clear idea. If this idea is met, then he will transfer this summer,” Zorc told Sky.

“Otherwise he will stay with us – it’s that simple.”

Pulisic only turns 19 next month, but the US international superbly deputised for Dembele on the right wing. He drilled home Dortmund’s first goal on 23 minutes in a move involving Germany’s World Cup-winner Mario Gotze, back after seven months out with a metabolic disorder.

Dortmund doubled their lead when ex-Barcelona defender Marc Bartra curled in a stunning strike on 27 minutes.

The centreback, who was badly injured in the April bomb blast targeting the Dortmund team bus, celebrated by kissing the black armband that players on both teams were wearing in support of the victims of this week’s Barcelona terror attack.

Pulisic then capped a brilliant display by putting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang behind the Wolfsburg defence for the third goal on 60 minutes.

Australia international Mathew Leckie made a dream debut for Hertha Berlin at the Olympic Stadium by netting twice in a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Stuttgart.

Germany international Nicolai Muller suffered an embarrassing knee injury as he hurt himself while celebrating his winning goal for Hamburg against Augsburg just eight minutes into the 1-0 victory.

Hoffenheim bounced back from their mid-week defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League play-off first leg, prevailing 1-0 at home to Werder Bremen as ex-Leicester City striker Andrej Kramaric scored a late winner.

Hanover enjoyed a 1-0 win at Mainz on their return to the top flight as Martin Harnik scored the decisive goal on 73 minutes.

RB Leipzig, who are in this season’s Champions League group stages after finishing second last season, got off to a bad start by crashing to a 2-0 defeat at Schalke. – AFP