Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored 20 goals in 19 matches, a feat no Dortmund player has ever managed before.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored 20 goals in 19 matches, a feat no Dortmund player has ever managed before.

Aubameyang brace rescues points for Dortmund

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Second-placed Borussia Dortmund had to work hard for a 2-0 win over promoted-side FC Ingolstadt 04as two late goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the hosts a flattering victory.

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 FC Ingolstadt 04

Goals: 1-0 Aubameyang (77'), 2-0 Aubameyang (85')

The underdogs made life very difficult for Dortmund in the opening stages, defending deep yet pressing well to set up dangerous chances on the counter. The best opportunity of the first half fell to the visitors as Dario Lezcano lobbed a long clearance from keeper Özcan past an outrushing Roman Bürki, but was muscled off the ball by Mats Hummels before he could get his shot away.

Making his first start in the Bundesliga for Dortmund, Adrian Ramos came closest to scoring for the home side. However, the Columbian striker couldn’t quite control his header on the rebound after Özcan saved from Aubameyang. As it was, neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time.

The teams picked up where they left off in the second half. Dortmund enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but were unable to break down a well-organized Ingolstadt defense. The visitors continued to threaten on the break and were very unfortunate not to take the lead when Hummels lifted the ball over Bürki and into his own net. Celebrations were cut short though as referee Guido Winkelmann ruled that Lezcano had found him in the process.

Dortmund cashed in their life-insurance policy a short while later when who else but Aubameyang finally broke the deadlock. The African Player of the Year headed home Lukasz Piszczeck’s cross to open the scoring in the 77th minute before adding a bit of gloss to the scoreline with a second a short while later. It was Aubameyang’s 20th goal of an incredible season and one that flattered Borussia Dortmund in the end.

Man of the match

Click here for more on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Quiet until the closing stages, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed just why he is leading the way in the scoring charts with a devastating display of clinical finishing. The hallmark of a true striker, Aubameyang was there when it mattered to secure all three points when a draw had seemed on the cards.

Talking points

Mats Hummels will have been breathing a sigh of relief after the match. His challenge on Lezcano in the first half could have led to a penalty and his own-goal may have been a game-changer had the referee not come to his rescue.

Match stats

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now found the net in each of the last 10 home games for Dortmund (including last season).Only Gerd Müller has ever managed the 20 goals after 19 matches that Aubameyang now has to his name.Dortmund have now scored at least once in their last 26 Bundesliga matches and at least twice for the 13th consecutive home match.At 17 years and four months, Christian Pulisic became the youngest player to appear in the Bundesliga this season when he came on for Borussia Dortmund.

Line-ups

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki - Piszczek, Hummels, Sokratis, Durm - Ginter, Weigl (Leitner 55')- Mkhitaryan, Kagawa (Castro 55'), Ramos (Pulisic 68') - Aubameyang

FC Ingolstadt 04: Özcan - da Costa, Hübner, Matip, Bauer - Roger - Christiansen, Morales - Hartmann (Lex 71'), Lezcano (Cohen 88'), Leckie (Bregerie 84')