Desolate in defense, erratic in the build-up game - Borussia Dortmund has lost the chance of a big step towards the Champions League round of 16.

The 0: 4 (0: 2) against Ajax Amsterdam was like a lesson in phases for the overwhelmed Bundesliga runner-up and was the highest defeat in the Dortmund Champions League history.

After an own goal by captain Marco Reus (11th minute), BVB, who were inferior in all respects, got completely out of step on Tuesday evening and was conceded with further goals by Daley Blind (25th), Antony (57th) and the former Frankfurt Sebastien Haller ( 72nd) in front of 54,000 spectators in the seething Johan Cruyff Arena.

This means that the Dutch champions are in the group C table after a flawless record halfway through the preliminary round with three points ahead of the second from Dortmund (6 points).

Only a win on November 3 at home against Ajax can prevent the announced entry into the round of 16 for the Revierklub from being a tremendous game.

Previously, Sporting Lisbon (3) had won the group's parallel game at Besiktas Istanbul (0) 4-1 (3-1).

In the hot-blooded atmosphere of the Amsterdam arena, BVB came under a lot of pressure after a few minutes.

First defense chief Mats Hummels clarified in dire need against Antony (9th), only seconds later BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was on the spot for a shot from blind.

But two minutes later, Kobel was also powerless.

After a free kick from Ajax captain Dusan Tadic, Reus spiked the ball into the goal for his keeper.

The goal had an effect on the guests, where Axel Witsel started for Emre Can in midfield.

The Amsterdam tempo football plunged the overwhelmed BVB defense from one embarrassment to the other.

It was almost logical that Ajax's 2-0 blinds shot from the edge of the box after a mistake by Hummels.

In the period that followed, Dortmund was lucky that they did not fall further behind before the break: Steven Berghuis (29th) only narrowly missed after a nice combination, Haller (32nd) failed again shortly afterwards to Kobel.

There was nothing to be seen of the Dortmund offensive with striker Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian was almost on his own at the front, hardly a pass reached him.

It was only in stoppage time in the first half that Haaland came free for the first time.

But Amsterdam goalkeeper Remko Pasveer fended off the ball.

BVB coach Marco Rose reacted and brought Can for Nico Schulz, who could hardly stop the agile Antony on his left side.

The balance of power remained, even if Haaland (48th) only hit the bar at the best Dortmund chance after a strong Hummels pass.

Ajax wasn't impressed and kept twirling.

Again it was BVB keeper Kobel who parried the shot of 19-year-old Ryan Gravenberch (49th) from a short distance.

But when Can did not attack the Brazilian Antony, the latter skilfully slipped the ball into the corner.

The Westphalia still had opportunities through Jude Bellingham (59th) and again Haaland (67th).

Ajax goalkeeper Pasveer stopped both times.

Things got worse for Dortmund.

Amsterdams Haller put the final point behind the BVB debacle with his sixth goal in this Champions League season.