Second appearance, first goals – Sébastien Haller continues to make amazing progress on his way back to everyday life as a professional footballer.
In Borussia Dortmund's 6-0 (3-0) win against FC Basel on Friday, the attacker, who was diagnosed with a testicular tumor shortly after his commitment last summer, scored a hat-trick within seven minutes (81st penalty kick, 86th, 88th minute).
Three days after his 15-minute comeback against Fortuna Düsseldorf, the 28-year-old Ivorian international came on for half an hour in Marbella against the Swiss first division club.
"Let's be happy"
This increases the chances that Haller will be part of the squad in the first competitive game of the sixth Bundesliga on January 22 at home against FC Augsburg (3.30 p.m., in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN).
"It's the best way imaginable," Haller commented, "every day of training is another step towards full fitness."
The reaction of the coach and the teammates was similarly euphoric.
"You could see how good it was for him to convert the penalty and how happy the lads were for his first goal.
That often makes things feel easier on the pitch," said football coach Edin Terzic.
"We're really happy for him.
A hat trick today – things can't get any better for him at the moment,” agreed BVB midfielder Salih Özcan.
Marco Reus (39'), Donyell Malen (50') and Jude Bellingham (54') scored the remaining Dortmund goals in the game, which lasted 60 minutes each.
Coach Edin Terzic took the opportunity to give many professionals match practice.
The injured full-backs Thomas Meunier (thigh problems) and Raphael Guerreiro (muscular problems) were not there.
A further medical examination should determine how serious Meunier's injury is.
After the final whistle, Terzic described Guerreiro's absence as a precautionary measure.