The hard-fought victory at Mönchengladbach was a testament to Dortmund's growing maturity. They had shown they could win ugly, that they could grind out results even when not at their free-flowing best. It was a crucial quality for any team with championship aspirations, and it filled the squad with a quiet confidence as they prepared for their next challenge.
The first four matches of the season had been a whirlwind. The Supercup miracle against Bayern, the dominant home victories, the gritty away draw and win. They had faced different challenges, different styles of play, and had emerged unbeaten. Three wins and a draw in the Bundesliga, another Supercup trophy in the cabinet – it was a near-perfect start.
