Overthrowing an Empire: One Yellow Wall at a time.

That's a pretty good pre-season there, barring the Celtic result. Demolished Sporting though. 4-1 away to Spartak isn't a half bad result either.

@LFC Agreed dude! Celtic I played a very rotated side as I wanted to see how they got on so I am not too disheartened

The teams completed the pre-match routine of shaking their opponents and the officials hands and then they sprinted off to their respective halves.

The atmosphere in the Philip II Arena was electric, the local Macedonian population had taken this fixture upon themselves with a serious endeavour and commitment, they deserved some serious applause for their efforts to make the fans arriving in the city welcome I thought.

Enough of that, as I quickly forced all non-match related thoughts from my head. The UEFA Super Cup was just moments away and my 'mighty' as they were labelled in the press, side faced a vicious underdog in Sevilla.

The Spanish side had won the Europa League once again and they were not to be underestimated, hence why I played my strongest side, for this fixture.

Despite their tenacity and hardworking ethos, I knew deep down that if we scored within 15 minutes, they would crumble. My side were too strong, way too strong. It was almost a mismatch I mused, as I watched my expensive stars string some passes together.

One of my personal compliments sent in my direction, was how I nor my players were philosophy snobs. Some managers insisted on goals being scored a certain way, like Wenger at Arsenal every goal has to be beautiful football.

I told my players as long as it hits the back of the net, it counts all the same.

I train them to play fast, short passes and overlapping fullbacks. But I took just as much pride in Julian Weigl picking out Aubameyang after just eight minutes, with a long range through ball. It was beautiful control by Aubameyang to take the ball down first time and he toe poked it past Sergio Rico in goal.



I said a goal under 15 minutes and they would crumple. Well we scored in eight, time to apply the pressure.

15 minutes later, Mario Fernandes was left unmarked to receive a throw in near the Sevilla area, the Brazilian fullback was able to look up and judge the run of Mkhitaryan to perfection and his cross landed perfectly on the head of the Armenian, I saw the ball ricochet off the post and into the net and as I spun round to high-five Xabi Alonso who was standing beside me warming up, I knew the game was over.

The third goal we had to wait until the 46th minute to see, was beautiful build up. Pogba caressed a pass to Weigl, Weigl turned and picked out Jorge and as he always does, he delivered an accurate yet powerful cross towards he back post and Reus there to volley home.



I couldn't help but applaud them from my dugout, as my side took a 3-0 lead. The fans were in a joyous mood as they celebrated the third, obviously grasping the fact that it was the goal that clinched the game.

It was a shame to see Sevilla reduced to 10 men, as one of their players, forgetting his name now, but one of their players decided to elbow Reus as they jumped for a header. It sort of marred the match for me.

Reus was able to play on and scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

As the full time whistle sounded out around the stadium I couldn't help but think.

Three down, three to go.

Awesome man..fantastic win over a decent side. How was dab king Pogba in that match?

Sounded like a demolition job there mate! Pogba's 8.5 rating seems like a great start for the lad

@Rui Ruoti Thanks a lot dude! And yeah performed extremely well, starting most of the attacks that led to good chances!

@Jack my midfielders don't get many assists due to my wingers, so I look for them to create the attacks for others to make the final ball and he was superb!

Dortmund make strong start to their second title defence

Pre-season was out of the way, but now the real football starts. Borussia Dortmund were not under pressure to repeat their heroics last season, but went further with European glory as well.

This year however they are heavily tipped favourites to win the league and the DFB-Pokal and it will be interesting to see who is able to stop them.

Bayern Munich lost some key players in the transfer window, but with Jurgen Klopp controversially taking charge of Bayern Munich, they are in good hands to challenge for the title.

Tebe Berlin VS Dortmund: DFB-Pokal. 0-5

The first game of the domestic season, as always was round one of the DFB-Pokal. This year, the first round saw Borussia Dortmund travel to TEBE Berlin, who play in the NOFV-Oberliga Nord league, the fifth tier of German football.

The lower league side however, played admirably in the first half, as a fully rotated XI for Dortmund were held goalless come half-time.

But just a minute into the second, failure to clear a simple cross, saw new signing Bruma in space with the ball, he played through former Celtic man Leigh Griffiths who managed to squeeze the ball past the keeper at the near post.

The Scottish international also scored the second goal, on what was proving to be a decent debut showing. Shane Long out muscled his opposition man marker on the right hand side, before pulling the ball back for Fellaini. The Belgian midfielder fainted a shot, before subtly laying it off to Griffiths who blasted the ball into the top right corner.

If that goal was genius, the next was pure fluke. A Xabi Alonso cross, found Bruma in the centre of the area and his first time volleyed, smashed into the shins of the centre back marking him, but somehow the ball veered straight into the bottom corner past a helpless keeper.

While currently the match was being dominated by the new number two striker, from Celtic, last seasons second choice striker and fan favourite, Shane Long, also got on the score sheet.

The Irishmen was left completely unmarked as he latched onto a Łukasz Piszczek cross, before volleying home.

But with just one minute left of the 90, Griffiths made it a debut to remember despite the opposition, as he completed the route and his hat-trick. A poor goal kick sliced directly to the feet of Bruma, who picked out the Scotsman with a first time ball, for him to tap into an empty net.

Dortmund are through to the next round with ease.

Dortmund VS Koln 2-2

A match that Bean claimed "was a huge disappointment" as his side were unable to hang onto their slender lead. Despite this, it was actually the away side who scored first, within 10 minutes.

A poor back pass from Jorge, saw José Giménez miss control the ball straight in front of goal, Gerard Moreno latched onto the free ball and blasted it past Rulli who had no chance from such a short range.

Bean was visibly fuming on the sideline and so were the fans.

It took a magical through ball first time, from Marco Reus, to open up this tough Koln defence on 35 minutes. The German winger was able to play in Aubameyang first time and the striker made no mistake as he thundered a shot past Horn and into the back of the net.

Dortmund then took the lead, through Marco Rues, on the stroke of half-time.

A wonderful run by Mkhitaryan which saw him beat several defensive players, ended in him blasting a shot straight at a static Horn. But unfortunate for the keeper the ball landed on a plate for Reus who passed the ball into an empty net.

But despite dominance from the home side, Koln snatched a point thanks to Olkowski who finished off one of the best counter-attacks you will see for a long time.

Hertha Berlin VS Dortmund 3-0

If they struggled last week, they certainly didn't today as they routed the home side 3-0, but it honestly could have and should have been more.

It did take the visiting champions half an hour to break down the Berlin defence, but it looked so simple when they did.

A first time Mario Fernandes cross was met strongly by Mkhitaryan, whose header was tipped onto the post by the keeper. But due to the keepers hand taking all the pace off the ball, it stopped dead on the line and Reus simply had to tap the ball over the line to make it 1-0.

If the home fans thought that was unlucky, they would have also been fuming at the second goal.

Pogba found himself with time and space on the penalty spot and was able to turn and get a shot away, it took a stunning save from Kraft to deny him. But unfairly for Kraft, Aubameyang was in the right place at the right time as the ball bounced at his feet, and he made no mistake.

The two so far were unlucky on Kraft, but he was at fault for the third goal. A hopeful cross in by Jorge looking for Reus, should have been collected easily by Kraft, but he stumbled as he attempted to catch the ball, missing it completely and literally giving Reus an empty net to head home into.

Dortmund VS Mainz 3-0

Yet another routine win for the reigning champions, as they showed off their strength, but the game will be remembered among Dortmund fans as the game Pogba scored his first goal for the club as well as registering his first assist.

It was a great finish by the Frenchmen, but it was all too easy for Dortmund in the build up play. Mario Fernandes was played in behind following a quick throw in which took the visitors by surprise.

The Brazilian was able to cut in past his defender, before pull the ball back for Pogba, the world record signing made no mistake, curling the ball into the far corner.

A fizzing corner from Marco Reus, was flicked on at the near post by Mehmet Topal, to find Julian Weigl at the far post, who brought down the flick on.Before hammering the ball home at point blank range.

Pogba's assist for Marco Reus and the third and final goal of the night, was something special. From the halfway line, the Frenchmen saw Reus making his run between the fullback and the centre back. With the outside of the foot he managed to dissect the two and it landed near enough on Reus's feet. The winger made no mistake, with a first time shot into the far corner, rounding off a great performance by the team.

Competition Review

Well what a month to start off! A 5-0 win, a 4-0 EUFA Supercup win, with two 3-0 wins in the league. The 2-2 against FC Koln was a kick in the teeth but I really can't complain with my rotated XI winning 5-0 to progress in the DFB-Pokal as well as winning another Super Cup and going unbeaten in the league. It is a solid start that spells only good things for the oncoming season.

Monthly Awards

Bean discusses Champions League group

Borussia Dortmund manager was today asked at his weekly press conference, about his feelings on the group stage which his side has been drawn into. In the group we see Dortmund, who return as reigning champions. Being pitched against their semi-final opponents Arsenal, Spanish side Valencia and Danish side F.C. København.

Quick overview of Arsenal

The English side who Dortmund beat 1-0 home and away in last seasons semi-final, as they went on to life the trophy.

They are obviously the biggest hurdle for Dortmund to overcome, on their path of another run at the final. What we gathered from their two games last season, was simply that, defensively Dortmund had the handle of the Arsenal style of play.

They failed to score in both games and didn't really look like scoring in the first game at all, it was only as time was running out at home they looked more like scoring. Until of course that late goal by Shane Long knocked all stuffing out of them.

Arsenal have been without a trophy since their 2015 FA Cup final win under Arsene Wenger, finishing third in the past two years in the league and not winning any cup competitions.

They are currently managed by former Manchester City man, Manuel Pellegrini.

What Bean had to say: "Of course playing them last season, means that this time around we will believe that we have the grasp of the, having beaten them home and away. But of course they will be looking for revenge. It will be fun to see how we can perform on the day."

Quick overview of Valencia

The Spanish side are currently managed by Manchester United legend Gary Neville (yeah I know guys) and he managed to steer them to a fourth place finish last season.

Neville has built a very young side in his one and a half seasons at the club, with the oldest player to play regularly so far this season is the 26 year old Spanish winger Rodrigo.

While he has a young side and pace to use, it is hard to see how the Spanish side cause a problem for the European Champions.

What Bean had to say: "I will never count a side out, any side, from any league, from any country, can beat anyone in football. All you need is some bad luck, a lacklustre performance, a deflected goal, to lose to a side you shouldn't. But I will go as far as to say they are the side I am least worried about, their side is still being built where as we are at our peak."

Quick overview of F.C. København

It has already been touted by pundits, that it is a toss up between Valencia and København for 3rd place and the Europa League.

The Danish giants, have won the double of the Danish League and Danish for the past two seasons, making them a side to not be underestimated.

They are still managed by club icon Ståle Solbakken, who has managed them since 2013. He formerly managed them between 2006-2011. As a player, he indeed played for København joining in the year 2000, however he was only able to play until March, as he suffered a shock heart attack and was actually pronounced dead at the scene.

He was resuscitated seven minutes later and on medical advice, retired from his playing career.

What Bean had to say: "I will find it hard to believe that no manager out there doesn't have immense respect for Ståle Solbakken. He has won an impressive 14 trophies with København and has built something of a dynasty in Denmark. I believe it will be very, very tough away and at home."

Certainly not the easiest group to break out from but to say that you're expected to reach the Semi-Finals means getting out of this group is a must!

@Jack Agreed it could have been easier, but I expect to win all three home games and at least beat either Valencia or København away once

Dortmund lay down the gauntlet early

The month of September, in the eyes of many fans, brings the true start of the football. August is filled with pre-season and at most, four games competitively. This September however, Borussia Dortmund see themselves facing seven different opponents in a very busy month, six coming domestically and one in Europe.

Bayern Munich VS Dortmund 0-1

Despite the numerous trophies and accolades Bean has won already in his short stint as Dortmund manager, gaining consistency over Bayern Munich has been a challenge.

In five meetings against the giants of German football, Joshua Bean has only managed one win and one draw against them. Losing the other three.

But today saw former Munich manager Jurgen Klopp manage their rivals and

Bean claimed in the press this was in fact an “advantage for my side, Klopp will have to deal with a lot of press in the build-up, we can just concentrate on the game.”

Bean decided the best way to get at this Dortmund side was to attack them as he attacks most sides, not to counter-attack. But funnily enough the goal ended up coming through a fast and brutal counter-attack.

Vidal found himself on the edge of the Dortmund area, where he twisted past Mustafi and pulled the trigger, but Jorge was able to get a vital block. It ricocheted to Reus and the German international, sent a long ball forwards to the feet of Aubameyang.

The striker took on his marker and laid the ball off to Jorge, who eventually fired a cross across the face of goal and Aubameyang headed in at the far post.

Dortmund dominated from here on out, with Dortmund racking up 22 fouls and only seven shots. But they were unable to beat Rulli in goal who was in fine form, when the full-time whistle ended, the travelling fans enjoyed a rare win over Munich at the expense of their ex-manager.

FC København VS Dortmund 0-1

The opening Champions League tie was not as easier as Bean would have been hoping. Bean decided, much as he knew it was a risk, to rotate a lot starting XI due to the upcoming congested fixture list.

But after just 11 minutes, Sokratis Papastathopoulos who was the captain for the day, was shown a straight red and deservedly so as he lunged in with both feet from behind on poor Andreas Cornelius.

The home side attempted to make Dortmund suffer by playing possession football, but in the end it meant they were unable to break don’t the stout Dortmund defence, then with two minutes left in the first-half a stunning strike from Julian Weigl.

The highly rated 22 year old, collected the ball from a Bruma cross, 25 yards out. He took one touch to control the ball dead and then looked up and whistled the ball into the top left corner.

The sensational strike was eventually the match winner, as Dortmund refused to budge from the edge of their area as they defended the 1-0 lead with 10 men heroically.

Dortmund VS Werder Bremen 6-1

This was the first of what Bean said he hoped, would be many heavy beatings throughout the season. In reality, while people predicted Bremen to cause the league holders a tough challenge, they were not even in the same bracket of ability on the day.

It took Dortmund just four minutes to open the scoring thanks to a fine finish into the bottom corner by Reus.



Bremen actually managed to draw themselves level just moments later, when Johannes Eggestein headed from a free-kick. But if the away fans hoped that they could go on to cause Dortmund difficulties, they were in for a shock.

Mkhitaryan scored the first of the remaining five goals, when a scrappy attempted clearance bounced kindly to him and he curled the ball into the bottom corner. Weigl then grabbed his second goal in as many games, scooping the ball into an unguarded net after the keeper was left stranded after a Marco Reus shot hit the opposite post.

As to be expected, Aubameyang got in on the action, scoring a deft first time finish from a Jorge cross, which saw the striker get in front of his man and slot it into the net.

Young centre back José Giménez also got in on the action scoring a header from eight yards out, following a Reus whipped corner.
Mkhitaryan had made a name for himself at Dortmund, by popping up in the right places at the right times to score goals. Much like earlier in the game with the lucky clearance. This time, a fierce Aubameyang shot was well saved but it bounced straight into the lap of Mkhitaryan and he passed the ball into the empty net.

Hannover VS Dortmund 0-3

Paul Pogba may have been controversially sent off, following two yellow cards, but that didn’t stop Dortmund, with a fine Aubameyang hat-trick, downing Hannover.

It was a ‘sweaty’ goal as the youth of today call it, which opened the scoring on the day. The home side had been able to hold off Dortmund in the first half, but a brilliant bit of play from Jorge on the left hand side, played in Mkhitaryan who dragged out the keeper and then at the last moment he played it square across goal for Aubameyang to tap in.

It was bad goalkeeping from Zieler which allowed Aubameyang to score his second jut minute later, following a Reus free-kick the keeper rushed off his line to punch the ball away, but missed horribly, giving the striker an empty net to head home into.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who was on for Mario Fernandes, assisted the third goal with a delightful cross which landed perfectly for Aubameyang to sweep it home first time.

Dortmund VS Stuttgart 3-0

If winning 3-0 away from home is satisfying, winning 3-0 at home is great. Dominating a side in front of your home fans is great for morale and sends the paying fans home happy.



Stuttgart got off to the worst of starts when Xabi Alonso was tripped inside the area. The veteran defensive midfielder brushed himself down, before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

A beautiful pass from former Manchester United man Marouane Fellaini, found new winger Bruma who was able to curl it into the same corner as the Alonso penalty, making it 2-0 within 20 minutes.

The game appeared to have died out but Leigh Griffiths was able to snatch a goal for himself with just seconds remaining on the clock.

A fierce cross from Jorge, found the Scotsman in acres and acres of space on the penalty spot, he was able to turn and slot the ball home to make it 3-0.

Dortmund VS Arsenal 1-0

In truth it was a very, very boring match for the neutrals at home. But Dortmund fans will be happy that after two games they have two wins in a tough Champions League group stage.

Aubameyang scored the only goal of the game, when he was able to get in front of his marker and latch onto a Mario Fernandes cross from the right hand by-line.

Arsenal were unusually subdued on the night, looking very timid going forward and Dortmund in reality could have scored two or three more goals if they really wanted to.

In the end they were happy to trod off after 90 minutes, with a 1-0 win under their belts and the group stages in their hands.

Managers overview

Of course with a 100% month I am delighted we managed to beat Bayern Munich and Arsenal in which should have been two very tough games. We don’t beat Munich very often, so to beat them early on this season, gives my side the edge as we look for a third title.
In the Champions League we nearly have the group in our hands, Arsenal are our biggest rivals and are now obviously three points behind as it is. It is looking good for us so far.

Monthly Awards

I sat behind my desk, sorting through my paperwork, there was always way more paperwork than I would have believed before I took the job. I knew there would of course be emails and that form of communication, but the large quantity of paperwork I found myself sorting every week always drove me insane.

It was 11 am on a wonderfully bright Tuesday morning and I was enjoying the fact that, as always, I would set up the teams training session but leave my coaching staff to over see it.

No need for me to observe every single minute of training I thought, especially with all this paper work to sort through. I tended to take every training session before and after a match as well as come in and out at specific moments on every other day to watch the players and then go back to work.

As I made my way down to the training pitches, with my music blaring through my earphones, I looked over today's papers. While I kept myself away from football related back pages as much as I could, I had always loved to keep myself up to date with the world news, especially in the world we live in today.

I arrived on the training pitches, to see my men well drilled in their five asides game, it was the first training session back since the international break, so i considered it key for them to integrate straight away again. Some questioned how much teams needed to get used to each other again, but well I believed the results spoke for themselves!

I watched on as Reus went up to chest down a high miss pass from Aubameyang and could only watch with my heart in my mouth, as I saw Paul Pogba desperately try and slow down to prevent himself crashing into him, only to send himself stumbling into the airborne Reus.

Reus landed with a very heavy thud and his instant scream of pain ran down my spine. I never rushed over to any injured player instead leaving it to the medical staff, as it is the rightful thing to do. But looking over him from a distance I was partially relieved that I couldn't see any bones sticking out or body parts at odd angles.



As the medical staff arrived at the scene I saw Pogba staring at me, his eyes seemingly pleading for me to understand he not only didn't mean to and that he had also tried his best to stop himself.

I called Pogba over and offered him some calming words, pretty much making it apparent I know it was not intentional at all and that he is fine. He looked relieved, he may be a cocky lad, but no player wants to be responsible for injuring a teammate badly in training, yet alone one of the stars.

Several hours later the chief medical member of staff entered my office, in times of injuries I have a protocol that allows them to go where they please without having to bother with knocking and waiting etc, they are the key men at this time.

As I realised who it was, I rose sharply and embraced him. "How is he Wolf?"

"Well, good news Josh is he has not done any seriously long term damage. He has torn his Plantar Fasciitis due to the way he landed awkwardly and at high impact on the heel of his feet, mainly because he tried to use his heels to steady him and it tore. However, he will be out for 9 to 10 weeks at least."

I looked despairingly at my team board, it looks like Bruma is going to have to prove that £8.5 million worth it over the coming weeks.

Well that was bad news after everything going so well to start the season. Hopefully you can cope with the loss

@Ninja Yeah Bruma is a decent player, but to lose Reus with Champions League games coming thick and fast is not ideal, I am sure the likes of Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang can carry us through!!

Hate to see injuries happen like that, it must make people like Pogba feel awful! But hoping to see Bruma proving his worth over the next two or so months