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| Nico Elvedi of Borussia Moenchengladbach runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Sebastien Haller of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Signal Iduna Park on May 13, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. |
A stunning first-half performance from Sebastien Haller helped Borussia Dortmund move back within a point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with two matches remaining after a 5-2 thrashing of Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.
After Bayern demolished Schalke 6-0 earlier in the day, Dortmund struck four times in the opening 32 minutes against Gladbach, with Haller having a hand in each of the goals.
“We showed today that we will keep believing until the end and we will chase everything until the end,” said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic.
“We still have two games, after that we will see whether it was enough. Bayern have to step on the gas and we will as well.”
Haller unleashed a shot after five minutes, with Donyell Malen pouncing on the rebound, scoring his eighth goal in his last eight matches. Haller was then brought down in the box, with England teenager Jude Bellingham converting from the spot to double Dortmund’s lead.
Haller got a goal of his own just three minutes later, superbly backheeling in a cross from Malen. The Dutchman set up Haller again shortly after, giving Dortmund a 4-0 lead.
Gladbach’s Ramy Bensebaini, who is rumoured to be headed to Dortmund next season, converted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining and Lars Stindl curled in another for the visitors, but US forward Gio Reyna scored a fifth to seal the result.
The victory kept Dortmund right behind Bayern, who recorded their biggest win under Thomas Tuchel by putting six goals past struggling Schalke.
Veteran Bayern captain Thomas Mueller slotted in after 21 minutes, his first goal in eight matches.
Joshua Kimmich doubled Bayern’s lead shortly after, converting a penalty despite losing his footing after Jamal Musiala copped an arm in the box.
Serge Gnabry added two more early in the second half, with French teenager Mathys Tel also scoring before Noussair Mazraoui chalked up his first goal in Bayern colours.
“We made a step in the right direction – our buried self confidence is coming back,” said Tuchel.
“But there’s no reason for euphoria, we’ll be tested again on Saturday (against RB Leipzig).”
The loss leaves Schalke, who had climbed out of the relegation places for the first time since September with last week’s win at Mainz, in the relegation playoff spot.
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