Instead, the Armenian was focused on winning the game. The visitors had been struggling to pull level after
Alfred Finnbogason had given Augsburg a surprise lead, but eventually Mkhitaryan's guile unlocked a stubborn backline and created a wonderful equaliser just before half-time. It sparked a crucial comeback, with
Die Schwarz-Gelbengoing on to triumph 3-1.
"He [Mkhitaryan] managed to take the game to the defence and create spaces that we were struggling to find beforehand," said Thomas Tuchel.
The Mkhitaryan effect
© imago / Horstmüller
It is not only Mkhitaryan's twinkle-toed ability on the ball that stood out, however. The 27-year-old was unafraid to get involved in the less glamorous parts of the game, winning an impressive 61 per cent of his challenges. He also set up four shots on goal - more than anyone else on the pitch - so it was no coincidence that the former FC Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder was the man to lead Dortmund back into the match.
"It was very important for us to equalise before half-time," said Tuchel. Indeed, BVB's No10 has a habit of inspiring his side to victories: Dortmund have won all 19 Bundesliga games in which Mkhitaryan has scored. Furthermore, his 20th goal of this season (ten in the Bundesliga) in all competitions also represented a new personal best for the attacking midfielder.
A new level
© imago
"Our forwards have so much quality that we always feel we can score," said Dortmund captain
Mats Hummels. "We're relying on them at the moment, and they're not letting us down." It was no mere platitude. In 42 competitive games in 2015/16, Mkhitaryan has been directly involved in an astonishing 44 goals.
"Our forwards have so much quality that we always feel we can score," said Dortmund captain
Mats Hummels. "We're relying on them at the moment, and they're not letting us down." It was no mere platitude. In 42 competitive games in 2015/16, Mkhitaryan has been directly involved in an astonishing 44 goals.
He has risen to a new level under the guidance of Tuchel this season and has already created more major chances (157) than he did in the entirety of the 2014/15 campaign, despite having run an average of one kilometre less per game.
First-team regular
A further sign of Tuchel's faith in Mkhitaryan is borne out by his team selections. The Armenian has started 24 of 27 league games so far this term, with
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only outfield player to have spent more minutes on the pitch (2176) than Mkhitaryan (2173).
The international break should give Dortmund's talisman a chance to catch his breath, even if he does appear for Armenia in their friendly fixture against Belarus. Once he returns, he will be eager to pick up where he left off and guide BVB to glory in the final weeks of the season.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário