Erling Haaland didn't have to say anything.

His gestures were clear even without words.

Shortly after the final whistle, he stepped in the direction of the Dortmund fans, raised both arms and then put his palms on each other.

His statement to the black and yellow convoy in the upper corner of the Amsterdam football arena was clear: That was nothing, please forgive us!

With 0: 4 goals Borussia Dortmund was inferior to the group game of the Champions League at the Dutch record champions.

Nothing is lost yet, the round of 16 reached, but the game raises questions.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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As so often in the past twenty months, striker Haaland played a decisive role in the result.

This time, however, not in the form of goals.

Dortmund was not without a chance in Amsterdam.

Shortly before the break, with Marco Reus's own goal (11th minute) and Daley Blind's goal (25th) already 2-0 for Ajax, Haaland prevailed with massive physical effort, his shot was fended off by goalkeeper Remko Pasveer away.

This also applied to the volley shot, which the goalkeeper caught and steered to the crossbar (47th), as well as for the attempt from a shorter distance (67th).

Haaland was desperate.

Because the outstanding Antony (57th) and Sébastien Haller (72nd) made it more successful on the other hand, Ballspielverein Borussia 09 (BVB) suffered the greatest defeat in the premier class in the end.

“It was a lesson for us.

We have been shown our limits.

This defeat is extremely painful, ”said Julian Brandt, who was exposed to the vortex of attack from Ajax in midfield.

Defense chief Mats Hummels also found self-critical words: “We were clearly the worse team in all respects.

You can say that we were still well served with the 0: 4. "

"The goal is on my cap"

That was indeed the case in the exhausted Johan Cruijff Arena, where Ajax fans cheered and cheered their unleashed team loudly. After a good start, most of the ingredients that are needed for a successful soccer game were no longer available at BVB. The first hit had a devastating effect. Reus extended a free-kick flank with his head into his own goal. "The first goal is my job, I misjudged the ball," said the Prime Video captain. “It wasn't on the plan that way, that we would go under like that!” Of course not.

And it happened anyway. Because Dortmund was exposed to the vortex of the opponent more and more powerless. Ajax often prevailed, especially on the left BVB defense side. The 21-year-old Antony, who recently became a Brazilian national player, made BVB's defense look old with his enthusiasm and technique. Full-back Nico Schulz was replaced during the break, Donyell Malen in front a little later. But Emre Can and Thorgan Hazard, who took their positions, did little better. In the team sport of soccer, there was also a lack of support from colleagues.

And so an old Dortmund debate re-emerged after the debacle. When things didn't go as hoped, the team's mentality was often called into question. It was a discussion that was nerve-wracking. Under Edin Terzic with the DFB Cup victory and the new coach Rose, the topic was hardly present any more; it went quite well. Now Rose spoke to herself: “In the moment when things get difficult, you have to find solutions. We still have to broadcast Borussia Dortmund. You have to show at every moment that you believe in being able to win the game. "

Waving off after unsuccessful actions and a gentle run while Ajax ignited the turbo were not ready to give Rose, the fans and also the teammates the signal that there was a belief in a better result. "It felt like the third or fourth shot was already 2-0, and our body language was as if it was already 4-0," complained Rose on Prime Video. “We have a few young players and when you're 2-0 down you're never satisfied. But a Joshua Kimmich doesn't just wave it away, he gets really angry. And maybe that's a bit of a difference. The question is how do you accept such situations, how do you react. "

If the reaction turns out to be as Rose imagines, the Amsterdam rainfall need not have dire consequences.

The constellation in the group leaves every chance of the round of 16.

Ajax are ahead with nine points, BVB have six after their opening wins over Besiktas Istanbul (0) and Sporting Lisbon (3).

Ajax is coming to Dortmund on November 3rd.

“With all the praise for Ajax, we have the quality to beat such a team.

You shouldn't hang it higher than it is in the end.

In two weeks we have the chance to do everything better. ”That will be necessary.