I t was just what they needed at just the right time. For a tricky first half and beyond, Elversberg had been a stone in Borussia Dortmund’s shoe, the promoted side not just keeping the home team at bay but keeping them honest, nourishing ambitions of their own. “The fatigue was clearly visible,” said the sporting director, Ole Book, to Sky after a week which had contained Der Klassiker in Munich and a hard-fought Champions League victory over Betis. “We were a bit too focused on managing the game, which was understandable.”

Enter Felix Nmecha. BVB have enjoyed a largely excellent start to the season, are unbeaten and level on points with Bayern Munich at the top; Bayern lead, unsurprisingly, thanks to their superior goal difference.…