August 19, 2017
Dortmund’s forward Maximilian Philipp (C) and Wolfsburg’s midfielder Daniel Didavi (R) vie for the ball during the German First division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg v BVB Borussia Dortmund in Wolfsburg, western Germany on August 19, 2017. Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
American teenager Christian Pulisic scored and created a goal as he replaced Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele to spark Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday.
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 be sold to Barcelona in this transfer window if they meet Borussia’s price, reportedly set at 130 million euros ($152m).
Pulisic only turns 19 next month, but the US international was superb in Wolfsburg as he deputised for Dembele on the right wing.
He drilled home Dortmund’s first goal on 23 minutes in a move involving Mario Goetze, back in the Borussia line-up 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 centre-back, 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 performance with a pass to put Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang behind the Wolfsburg defence for the third goal on 60 minutes.
Dortmund top the table for the time being after defending champions Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on Friday through goals by new signings Niklas Suele and Corentin Tolisso, and a Robert Lewandowski penalty.
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 Andre Kramaric scored a late winner.
Hanover enjoyed a 1-0 win at Mainz on their return to Germany’s 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, kick off their league campaign at Schalke later on Saturday.
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