Bundesliga
Bellingham delivers for Dortmund
English midfielder Jobe Bellingham put disappointment in Der Klassiker behind him in style with a key role in a commanding win for Borussia Dortmund in Copenhagen in midweek, in which he set up two of his side's four goals.
It has been an eventful week for Bellingham.
The talent had an unfortunate moment in his first experience of Der Klassiker last Saturday, when he was caught out by a sharp Luis Díaz cross that proved difficult to clear, and Michael Olise raced to turn Bayern Munich's second goal in.
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač mounted a strong defence of the summer signing from Sunderland in the aftermath, saying "I can't find any fault with Jobe" and highlighting the difficulty of the situation, along with the way Bellingham did well to avert an own goal.
The boss proved he had the faith to back up those words when handing Bellingham his first start in three weeks in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League tie away in Copenhagen. The 20-year-old cut a composed figure throughout, laying on the assist for Felix Nmecha's opener and bursting into the box before having a pass deflected into the path of Fábio Silva as his side sealed a strong 4-2 away win.
Those were the English youngster's first goal involvements for Dortmund since the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
Watch: Jobe Bellingham unveiled at Dortmund in June
Kovač said after the match: "I was especially happy with the performance from Jobe. It was his second game from the start in the Champions League. He performed well, and this is what each player needs: progress, self-confidence, and good games."
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl added: "Jobe got into the game well, won lots of seconds balls, launched lots of transitions and had a great energy about him."
After two starts in August and five substitute appearances since, Bellingham has his next chance to make his mark on the Bundesliga as Dortmund welcome Cologne on Saturday evening in Matchday 8.