Refreshed Borussia Dortmund show up Atletico Madrid limitations in Champions League

BVB and Atleti came in with 100-per-cent records.

They also shared a history this decade of gatecrashing the competition. Dortmund were defeated in 2012/13’s showpiece, while their opponents lost both 2014 and 2016’s deciders to neighbours Real.

On the evidence of Wednesday night, and beyond, only the Germans can realistically contend this season. Under new head coach Lucien Favre, they are far more measured – in defence and attack.

Forget Axel Witsel’s deflected 38^th-minute opener, the glaring chances were all theirs. In the opening period, United States winger Christian Pulisic ballooned over and teenage centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou headed wide.

Their second was a thing of beauty – a trio of rapid-fire, one-touch passes in midfield, before left-back Achraf Hakimi’s cross was poked in by substitute Raphael Guerreiro. The third witnessed the 19-year-old Hakimi selflessly play in 18-year-old England prospect Jadon Sancho for a tap-in.

Chaos in the visiting ranks was exemplified by Brazil left-back Filipe Luis’ staggering pass across his own penalty box to allow Guerreiro to slot in a late fourth. La Liga’s best defence was in bits and boss Diego Simeone had witnessed four goals conceded for just the fourth time during 391 matches in charge.

For bedraggled Atleti, the ineffective Antoine Griezmann produced a harmless, low shot in the first half and Spain midfielder Koke drilled wide in the second.

There shouldn’t be a repeat of 2017/18’s group-stage exit. But their – now defunct – run of conceding a first-half goal and still winning in the UCL this term seems like a harbinger of weakness, rather than strength.

WITSEL’S WORTH WEIGHT IN GOLD

A different type of gold attracted Witsel back to Europe this summer.

Tianjin Quanjian’s riches could not sate the centre midfielder’s ambitions. At 29-years old, the opportunity to grasp a first run in a ‘big-five’ league had to be pursued.

With him, Dortmund astride the Bundesliga table and are now almost guaranteed progression to the round of 16.

By half-time, he boasted his team’s joint-most touches (45), most attempts (two), most interceptions (two) and best pass accuracy of 97.4 per cent. Partner Thomas Delaney’s injury also boosted his importance.

Enamoured Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez is prone to hyperbole. His description, however, that “the best transfer in the world this season” is Witsel’s to Dortmund appears uncharacteristically muted.

LEMAR MUST LET LOOSE

For Atleti to excel, they need to turn gems into prized jewels.

Chances have previously been taken on the likes of Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa and Griezmann. Trophies followed when they paid off.

June’s €60 million deal for Monaco and France winger Thomas Lemar was designed to make him the latest in this glorious line.

Reality has not, yet, been as kind. An ineffective 2017/18 and World Cup 2018 has been repeated in Spain – it’s now a modest two goals and two assists in 12 matches.

At Westfalenstadion, the 22-year-old had no attempts and produced one key pass. Although four accurate crosses from nine shows what his game can be about.