Augsburg (Germany) (AFP)
Erling Haaland, the 19-year-old star rookie from Dortmund in the winter transfer window, signed into the Bundesliga with a hat-trick on Saturday, when Borussia 5-3 won in Augsburg.
The young Norwegian, who came into play in the 56th minute while Borussia was led 3-1, scored three times in exactly 20 minutes (59th, 70th, 79th).
Under the jersey of RB Salzburg, he had dazzled Europe this fall by accumulating exploits in the Champions League. Author of eight goals in the group stage (second director behind Lewandowski, 10 goals), he also became in September at 19 years and 58 days the third youngest author of a hat-trick (against Genk) in the queen competition. Only stars Raul and Wayne Rooney had achieved this feat even younger. He is also the first player under the age of twenty to have scored in his first five C1 matches.
This victory allows Dortmund, future opponent of Paris SG in the Champions League, to temporarily occupy fourth place in the Bundesliga with 33 points, four units behind leader Leipzig who can however widen the gaps this Saturday by receiving the promoted Union Berlin (18.30).
Just before the match, Borussia sports director Michael Zorc praised the qualities of his rookie for 20 million euros, while stressing that he was still only a hope: "It is a rough diamond but it "Still needs to improve," said Zorc, "he is still a young player and I warn against excessive expectations, but he brings us strength and he has an incredible mentality."
While Haaland was coveted by other teams, including RB Leipzig, Zorc said that Dortmund had told him to convince him: "We are going to make you a complete player".
© 2020 AFP