
Dortmund's title challenge soars as they dominate in September
The month of August only treated Dortmund fans to a measly three competitive fixtures, including one against an amateur football club in the DFB-Pokal. September however, was the start of the fixtures coming thick and fast.
Before the month started Bean that he would be content with four wins and two draws, as two of the games were Champions League group matches, Bean admitted he would take a win and a draw in the opening set of fixtures, to give his side a solid foundation for qualification.
Bayern Munich VS Dortmund 0-0

The previous meeting between these two sides of course ended in that entertaining 3-2 victory for Munich in the German Super Cup. This fixture however was a defensive masterclass from a Dortmund side, more well known for their attacking displays.
Dortmund managed to restrict Munich to just one shot on target and 11 shots in total. It was in fact, Dortmund who in the dying embers of the game had the balled cleared off the line rather dubiously by Jerome Boateng, with replays showing what Bean and his side furiously protested, that the German centre back had used his forearm to clear the ball.
But Bean should be more than happy with picking up a point away at rivals Bayern Munich.
Dortmund VS PSV 3-0
Joshua Bean's first ever game in the Champions League was against Dutch side, PSV.
While being heavily expected to win, it was not going to be a walk in the park and Dortmund were made to work for all of their three goals.
Mario Fernandes opened the scoring on 35 minutes, curling the ball home from just inside the area, following a beautiful through ball by Mkhitryan. The first time finish from the right-back, was a joy to behold and it will be replayed many times over.
Despite being a goal down, PSV very rarely threatened and eventually Aubameyang put the game to bed with a simple header into an empty net, with just nine minutes to go.
Mkhitaryan capped off the display scoring in the second minute of added time, the winger combined for a fluent one-two with Julian Weigl. After being played in behind by the young central midfielder, Mkhitaryan made no mistake, as he blasted the ball past the keeper at the near post.
Dortmund VS Ingolstadt 3-0
Despite winning 3-0, Borussia Dortmund will be even more delighted with their defensive performance. They managed to prevent Ingolstadt from having a single shot all game, that is right, Ingolstadt, a Bundesliga side, went an entire 90 minutes without having a single shot all game.
The game was set up for Dortmund just to casually control possession the minute Mkhitaryan scored within the opening five minutes. The inform winger, latched himself onto a Marco Reus cross and volleyed the ball home from point blank range.
Reus then bagged a double of his own, scoring twice in the second half to complete the dominant performance. Young left-back, Jorge, surged down the left hand side and his drilled cross found Xabi Alonso on the edge of the area. The former Bayern man, duly slotted the ball between two defenders and Reus was able to slot it past the keeper.
His second goal was a lot simpler for Dortmund, with the German winger scoring from the penalty spot with just four minutes remaining in the match.
Borussia Mönchengladbach VS Dortmund 1-2

A local rivalry between title holders Dortmund and title challengers Borussia Mönchengladbach. The home side came under criticism from some areas of the media, after players and fans alike claimed that this year they will knock Dortmund of their perch and win the title themselves.
Their confidence was initially well rewarded, after Jorge gave away a penalty which was tucked away in the right hand corner by Raffael, after just eight minutes.
Dortmund were under the thumb for the entire first half, but whatever Bean said to his men at half-time worked a treat, as they were not recognisable compared to the first-half.
Borussia Mönchengladbach were not prepared for the onslaught that followed and they gifted possession to Aubameyang just inside their half, Dortmund turned defence into attack with amazing speed and the striker beat several defenders before pulling ball across goal to Marco Reus, who unselfishly beat the final man and then played it back to Aubameyang who made no mistake from just three yards out.
With the game heading to a 1-1 draw, which unlike many draws, would have been one of the most thrilling games of the month, there was one last twist.
Marco Reus beat his opposite number with a delightful Cruyff turn and then played Jorge in behind. The Brazilian fullback, launched a hopeful looking cross into the Borussia Mönchengladbach area, but to the shock of the home fans, Mkhitaryan arrived out of nowhere, completely unmarked, to put the ball into the back of the net, to the jubilation of Joshua Bean who was later warned by the German FA, for running down the touchline to celebrate in front of the Dortmund away fans.
Dortmund VS Frankfurt 3-1
In the final league game of the month, Dortmund hosted Frankfurt at home. The home side were however, without star striker Aubameyang and equally as important central midfielder İlkay Gündoğan.
The loss of these two players was evident, as Dortmund struggled in the first half, only having one clear cut chance, with Reus striking the near post from a free-kick.
18 year old sensation Luís Henrique, opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half, latching onto a Reus cross, by getting in front of his marker the youngster was able to pass it into the net from point blank range, making it a goal on his debut.
Frankfurt however equalised in under a minute, thanks to a superb goal from Szabolcs Huszti. The Hungarian midfielder picked the ball up from just inside the Dortmund half, a quick one-two with his midfield partner, saw him break away from Mario Fernandes and blast the ball past Rulli in goal.
A furious Joshua Bean ordered his players to switch on and just 15 minutes later, Gonzalo Castro, in for Gündoğan, scored a well timed header from just several yards out, making it 2-1.
The matched was finished just minutes later, when Luís Henrique scored his second goal on his first team debut, lobbing the Frankfurt keeper from outside the area, much to the amusement of Joshua Bean who applauded warmly.
FC Basel VS Dortmund 1-3
Away games are often considered more important than home matches in the group stages of the Champions League, with many managers believing that if you can't pick up at least one draw when away from home, then you don't have a strong chance of qualifying for the later stages.
Bean was initially concerned for his side may be returning home with no points, when Basel went ahead thanks to a a wonderful header from the tiny Renato Steffen. Somehow the 5ft 5' winger managed to find enough space at the back post, to head the cross home.
Yet again this month however Dortmund Mkhitaryan to thank, as his equaliser came just 10 minutes later, with a near enough identical finish to that of Steffen.
Julian Weigl then scored one of his long range curling specials, as he curled the ball into the top right corner, from a good 25 yards. The travelling Dortmund fans could not believe their eyes as the ball just snuck underneath the crossbar.
Basel lost any chance of winning the game when Taulant Xhaka was sent off for a second bookable offence, with 22 minutes remaining.
Mkhitaryan made the extra man count, scoring a wonderful team goal, with 10 minutes remaining to make it 3-1 to Dortmund and his second of the night.
Competition Review
Well there is no way I can't be happy with this months performances. Even picking up a point at Bayern, despite struggling against them every time we play them. It is early doors yet, but that point could be hugely important in the context of the season as it is more like two points dropped for Bayern.

