Marco Reus fired a scorching Borussia Dortmund aspect right into a three-way tie to the highest of the Bundesliga and declared: “We wish to preserve driving this wave.”

The captain returned to the beginning line-up for Dortmund on Sunday, after lacking the mid-week victory within the Champions League over Chelsea, to interchange Judd Bellingham, who fell to the bench and handed over the armband.

Reus scored a shocking free kick to arrange Dortmund’s third aim in a 4-1 win over Hertha BSC, sparking a crowd of 81,365 at Sign Iduna Park, with Karim Adeyemi, Donyell Mallen and Julian Brandt additionally on track.

Bellingham got here on as an alternative within the second half and claimed his fiftieth Bundesliga win. On the age of 19 years, 235 days, he made the England midfielder the youngest participant to achieve this historic milestone. There could also be loads to rejoice this season on your teen.

50 – Judas #bellingham Right now he celebrated his fiftieth Bundesliga victory on the age of 19 years and 235 days – the youngest participant within the division’s historical past to achieve that degree. winner. #BVBBSC pic.twitter.com/lLEi2AKDkE

– OptaFranz (OptaFranz) February 19, 2023

The one actual detrimental for Dortmund was the calf muscle damage Adeyemi suffered when he arrange Mallen’s second aim, and the striker will seemingly be out for a number of weeks.

Dortmund have received all eight of their matches because the German season resumed after the World Cup and winter break, and have reached a tie for high spot after dropping out of the title race simply weeks earlier.

“Earlier than the winter break, nobody anticipated him to be so tight on the high of the desk,” Rios stated. “We began a run that we have continued at present. We wish to preserve driving that wave, and finally you will see what comes of it.”

Union Berlin is the shock package deal within the three-team group on the high. Opta’s information present that that is the primary time within the three-point profitable period, which started in 1995-96, that three groups had been tied on factors on the high after spherical 21 within the Bundesliga.

Chatting with DAZN, Reus stated: “You win, however you can also’t hand over an inch, in any other case it will be troublesome. We’re not enjoying stars from the sky, we’re impactful. After I scored my free kick, I spotted as quickly because the ball left my toes it is likely to be severe.

“I am glad as a result of after such a very long time I used to be in a position to rating a free-kick once more.”

It was Reus’ first direct free-kick aim within the Bundesliga since he scored in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen in Could 2021, which in flip got here after a five-year wait.

The blow got here shortly after Bellingham entered the fray, as Dortmund pulled away within the closing quarter.

Musical band chief pic.twitter.com/2kMHtLy0QM

– Borussia Dortmund (BlackYellow) February 19, 2023

Al-Ittihad missed an opportunity to go high of the title race, drawing 0-0 at residence to backside membership Schalke 04 earlier on Sunday.

Bayern maintain the lead because of their superior aim distinction (plus 40), with Dortmund second and third within the Etihad, however that is clearly a becoming title loss.

The momentum is with Dortmund, given Bayern’s 3-2 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

Klassiker waits in six weeks, when there could also be much more at stake.

Prime scorer Brandt stated: “We nonetheless have an extended method to go, however it’s the identical for Union and Bayern. We have labored our method out of our pre-winter break state of affairs very effectively. I am very glad at present for Marco Reus, who scored a unbelievable aim.”

Dortmund boss Edin Terzic shall be ready to see how Adeyemi fares via his damage exams, however the odds of him returning quickly look slim.

“He in all probability will not be out there for us for the subsequent few matches, however we hope it will not be lengthy earlier than he can come again,” stated Terzic.