Borussia Dortmund had few problems in dispatching Eintracht Trier from the DFB-Pokal, with Shinji Kagawa scoring two goals in what at times proved little more than a training exercise.

André Schürrle, Dortmund’s record signing in the summer from VfL Wolfsburg, got the third goal for last season’s runners-up, with the fourth-tier side offering little in resistance in the first half.

Dortmund will have been left frustrated at a failure to extend their lead in the second half, but there was never any danger of them becoming the third Bundesliga casualty in the final game of the first round.

Memories of a famous upset

It was just the second meeting between the two sides, but the first is one Dortmund would rather have forgotten. They met in the last 16 of the Pokal in November 1997, with Trier famously winning 2-1 with goals from Rudi Thömmes and Marek Czakon against the then European champions.

Dortmund though came into this game as heavy favourites. Last season’s runners-up in both the Pokal and the Bundesliga were up against a side second from bottom in Regionalliga Südwest, with just one point from their first three games.

Just two changes were made by Thomas Tuchel from the DFL-Supercup defeat to Bayern Munich eight days earlier. Roman Weidenfeller will be their cup keeper and came in for Roman Bürki, whilst Schürrle made his first start in a Dortmund shirt in place of Adrián Ramos.

Mario Götze was left out due to a slight adductor problem, whilst Marco Reus was still recovering from his own injury problems.

Trier made two changes to the squad from their last league game against 1.FC Kaiserslautern II, as Alexander Dartsch and Muhamed Alawie dropped out of the side, with Simon Maurer and Rico Gladrow starting instead.

It wasw a good night for Shinji Kagawa. | Photo: Ruhr Nachrichten/imago
It wasw a good night for Shinji Kagawa. | Photo: Ruhr Nachrichten/imago

All too easy for BVB

Dortmund needed just under eight minutes to put themselves in the driving seat. After a Trier attack from Christoph Anton and Patrick Lienhard was cut off by Weidenfeller, Dortmund quickly countered. Schürrle’s cross to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was cut off by Adrian Schneider, but the ball fell to Kagawa who placed it past Chris Keilmann.

Marc Bartra was bought to strengthen the defence after the departure of Mats Hummels, but he turned playmaker to set up an excellent chance to Aubameyang, cutting through the entire Trier defence. However he uncharacteristically hit the post, with Trier skipper Michael Dingels sweeping up the loose ball.

Dortmund were passing the ball around for fun, and though they weren’t feeling rushed to create many chances, they were looking lethal when they did. Gonzalo Castro this time played an excellent ball into the box, Schürle let it pass through him, and Kagawa was the grateful recipient as he easily made it two.

Trier showed a little more ambition after that, mostly down their left, but it was to little avail. And with the last kick of the half, Schürrle made it 3-0, converting a cross from Aubameyang despite Keilmann getting something on it.

Fourth goal proves elusive

The second half started with a familiar pattern, as Dortmund hogged possession of the ball once more. Chances were limited though with Trier defending well, however a cross from Ousmane Dembélé, another of their new signings, set up Aubameyang, but again he didn’t find the target, heading the ball onto the crossbar and over.

Trier then created a genuine chance for themselves. Lienhard played the ball through to Alawie, who was fresh off the bench, and he should have really tested Weidenfeller more. But it was a poor chance, and an easy save for the Dortmund keeper.

Dortmund though let them have few other opportunities to get forward, yet they themselves just couldn’t find a way to extend their lead, missing a plethora of chances.

Schürrle shares a joke with Tuchel as he is substituted. | Photo: Ruhr Nachrichten/dpa
Schürrle shares a joke with Tuchel as he is substituted. | Photo: Ruhr Nachrichten/dpa

Emre Mor, who really impressed after coming off the bench, had a shot from the edge of the box excellently saved by a diving Keilmann, whilst Ramos, also appearing as a substitute, had his own chances, bringing another save out of the keeper and then heading wide.

Not even Aubameyang could find his range. He had another chance to open his account for the season with just under ten minutes left in the game, but his curling shot was wide of the post. Mor then set it up for him for another chance, but this time he hit the post.

A concern perhaps going forward into the Bundesliga season, which they start against Tuchel’s old club 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, but for now they’re comfortably through to the next round of the Pokal.

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