Erling Haaland confidently claimed his immediate return to scoring form came as no surprise after helping Borussia Dortmund to a big Bundesliga win over Schalke.
The 19-year-old Norwegian struck the opener in his side's 4-0 victory at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday as Germany's top tier resumed following a two-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Raphael Guerreiro added a brace either side of an emphatic Thorgan Hazard finish to complete the Revierderby rout for hosts Dortmund, who showed few signs of rust.
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Haaland suggested his 10th goal in nine Bundesliga appearances was to be expected despite admitting he was not yet fully up to speed.
"Of course I'm not the same. I haven't been playing games for seven weeks, so of course not," he told the Bundesliga's official website.
"But I know I have been working hard this period and I am not surprised [to score], no."
Haaland and Dortmund benefited from a brilliant Julian Brandt display that steered the title contenders to within a point of leaders Bayern Munich.
The attacking midfielder was involved in all four goals, each of them celebrated in unusual fashion as players attempted to keep contact to a minimum.
"You have to find a way to make the most of the situation and have fun," Brandt said.
"What better way to start than with a win? Obviously I'd prefer if conditions were normal, but it is what it is.
"It wasn't a perfect performance, but I'm happy after such a lengthy hiatus."
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