DORTMUND - Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus played a part in five goals as his side hammered his former club Borussia Mönchengladbach 6-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday to stay in touch with leaders Bayern Munich.
Reus, who switched from Gladbach to Dortmund just over a decade ago for $19 million, scored two goals and provided three assists. But he opted not to take a penalty his side were awarded in added time, with Emre Can stepping up and converting to complete the drubbing.
The victory saw Dortmund stay six points behind Bayern after the champions beat Greuther Fürth 4-1 at home earlier in the day. It also soothed the pain of two humbling recent home defeats for Dortmund: Thursday's 4-2 reverse to Rangers in the Europa League and a 5-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga two weeks ago.
Marco Reus 2 Goals, 3 Assists Vs. Gladbach
Marco Reus hit two goals and grabbed three assists vs. 'Gladbach.
What a performance! pic.twitter.com/l0qvJhXkrv— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 20, 2022
Reus, 32, opened the scoring in the 26th minute by pouncing on the rebound after Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer had parried a shot from Donyell Malen. Reus returned the favor six minutes later, playing a one-two with Dutchman Malen, who powered a shot through the grasp of Sommer to double Dortmund's advantage.
Reyna leaves the match vs Gladbach with an apparent injury
Get well soon Gio pic.twitter.com/DwES1vq5Lw— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 20, 2022
Gladbach almost pulled a goal back in the second half when Jonas Hofmann hit the angle of the post and crossbar. But it was Dortmund who struck next to put the result beyond doubt, Reus teeing up Marius Wolf to score in the 70th minute, two minutes after he had come off the bench.
The captain added his third assist of the game four minutes later as Youssoufa Moukoko, another substitute, netted Dortmund's fourth. Reus then got back among the goals by smashing the ball in after a long punt from defender Mats Hummels, before Can completed Gladbach's humiliation from the spot after Wolf was felled in the box.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Hugh Lawson)