Jadon Sancho Provides Assist In 3-0 Dortmund Victory Over Darmstadt

Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho celebrate in each other's company, bringing forth recollections of an era before the Englishman became a part of Manchester United. (Image credit: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The scene was definitely made for people who love romance. During the 77th minute of the match, when Dortmund only had a slim 1-0 lead against Darmstadt, Jadon Sancho skillfully made his way into the penalty box and served up a perfect assist to Marco Reus, who finished beautifully for the second goal. The energy and excitement from this goal celebration reminded everyone of the dynamic duo's relationship from two years ago when they celebrated their successes together.

Undoubtedly, substituting Julian Bandt and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens with Reus and Sancho in the 55th minute was the turning point of the game for Dortmund. Head coach Edin Terzic deserves praise for his vital substitutions in the second half. Additionally, in the 81st minute, Youssoufa Moukoko replaced the underperforming Niclas Füllkrug and managed to score the third goal for Dortmund in the 90th minute.

Following the match, Edin Terzic acknowledged that, despite Sancho's impressive comeback and the team's three goals, the lackluster performance overall might be overlooked. In his interview with German broadcaster Sky, Terzic stated that certain aspects of the game were successful, while others fell short. He acknowledged that the team earned their victory, having scored three goals and missed opportunities to score more. Additionally, the team succeeded in limiting their opponents' scoring chances, though this achievement did not come without difficulty.

Dortmund seemed to be struggling during their game in Darmstadt, and without the impressive efforts of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, things may have gone differently. In particular, Kobel made an incredible save during the 64th minute that prevented the opposition from scoring. Thanks to his efforts, Dortmund was able to keep the ball out and maintain their lead. Later on, Sancho joined the game and collaborated with his friend Reus to write the perfect ending to the story.

Sancho expressed great excitement about his return. He told Sky that it felt like he had returned to his rightful place. He further expressed happiness about being back on the field and assisting his close friend Marco in scoring a goal. Sancho's ultimate aim is to bring joy to himself and help the team secure a place in the top three. He believes that if they aim to win every match, they will ultimately perform well.

During Sancho's initial tenure at Borussia Dortmund, he and Reus formed a tight bond both on and off the pitch, cultivating a close relationship. (Sascha Steinbach is the photographer who captured their friendship in the image.)

Sancho's return to Dortmund was a spectacular one, and it marked a dream comeback for him and the team. Sancho scored an incredible assist in the match, and Dortmund took advantage of Leipzig's loss against Eintracht Frankfurt. This has allowed Dortmund to move closer to a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League, as the gap between them and the top four is now only three points. With Dortmund playing against Köln next weekend and Leipzig playing against unbeaten league leaders Leverkusen, there's a chance that Dortmund may close the gap even further and reach a goal differential. The Black and Yellows are looking strong and determined, and they're making great progress towards their goals.

Currently, Dortmund could possibly secure a spot in the Champions League by placing fifth in the Bundesliga this season. However, it is not certain that this spot will be up for grabs by the end of the season. Therefore, it is crucial for Dortmund to finish in the top four to benefit their club finances, which includes making improvements to the team and having a slight chance of retaining Sancho. Additionally, this will help them recover from the financial impact caused by COVID-19.

In theory, it seemed like this was a great weekend. However, before Sancho entered the game, Dortmund's gameplay raised some concerns. Terzic's team looked like they were moving slowly and didn't have any creative ideas when it came to attacking. Plus, when it comes down to skill, Darmstadt is probably the least skilled team in Bundesliga. Because of this, they aren't a great point of reference for Dortmund's goals this season.

Taking into account all of these factors, the expectation is that Sancho will adapt quickly to provide the level of play he showcased during his 30-minute appearance. This is crucial in order for Dortmund to remain competitive with the elite teams at the top of the leaderboard, secure a place in the Champions League, and improve their financial position enough to potentially keep Sancho on board.

The Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast is run by Manuel Veth, who is also in charge of managing the USA region for Transfermarkt. Manuel has contributed articles to various media outlets, including The Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, and Pro Soccer USA, among others. To stay updated on his latest views, check him out on Twitter at @ManuelVeth, and keep track of his comments by following his Threads at @manuveth.