Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways against SC Paderborn on Sunday, winning 6-1 after the first half ended scoreless. Jadon Sancho scored his first career hat-trick, while Thorgan Hazard, Achraf Hakimi and Marcel Schmelzer were also on the scoresheet for the guests.
“We were too reckless in possession in the first half,” Mats Hummels told the BVB press officer after the game, adding: “We gave Paderborn exactly what they wanted: a lot of central losses of possession, while we were positioned relatively high. We didn’t create enough chances, and when we created scoring opportunities we shot the ball far, far off target.”
Dortmund broke the deadlock in the 54. minute, as Hazard pounced on a Leopold Zingerle spill. The Black and Yellows doubled the score just three minutes later when Julian Brandt found Sancho in the box.
However, Paderborn responded in the 72. with Uwe Hünemeier converting from the spot after referee Daniel Siebert awarded a penalty after the ball had hit Emre Can’s elbow in the box. But just two minutes later Dortmund squelched the comeback ambitions of the hosts as Sancho aimed for the far post after being set up by Hazard.
The visitors added to the pain of last-place Paderborn by piling on three more goals by Hakimi (85.), Schmelzer (89.) and Sancho (91.).
“In the second half, our positional play was good, our passing game was good, our runs were good, and then it looked like it can look when get going. The coach made a small adjustment at halftime, which really worked out well. It wasn’t a big change but sometimes details can decide games. So the spaces in which we wanted to play were better manned by our players,” Hummels said.
“Once the 3-1 was scored, everyone realised that the game was decided. After the 2-0 we dropped our focus a bit. But once the joy of football sparks and we’re playing with ease without losing our focus, then we’re just really good.”
The 31-year-old is suspended for the next game against ninth-place Hertha Berlin after picking up a fifth booking in the 76. minute.
