Bayern Munich may be dominating the current Bundesliga campaign having won their first ten games to lead the league table, while Robert Lewandowski has been commanding his share of the headlines with his goal exploits, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also claimed a quite a few goals for Borussia Dortmund this season and two successive hat-tricks in four days is proof that the goals are still flowing.
Gabon international Aubameyang joined Dortmund in 2013 after a successful spell with French team Saint Etienne where he netted 37 goals in 87 Ligue 1 games. Although he retained his ability to find the net in German football, the presence of Lewandowski and Marco Reus in the Dortmund attack tended to overshadow Aubameyang during his first season as he appeared to be trying to justify his inclusion in the team rather than playing his natural game. He still scored 13 goals in his first Bundesliga campaign.
Last season, most Dortmund players were affected by a loss of confidence and form as relegation became a possibility at one stage, yet Aubameyang still contributed 16 league goals to finish joint fourth leading striker. With the departure of Jurgen Klopp and arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager of the team, there was hope that a fresh start under a new coach would reinvigorate Borussia Dortmund with Aubameyang entrusted with leading the attack.
Dortmund did begin the season with a flourish and Aubameyang prospered as he netted in the opening eight league games, the latter of which was a 5-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, the first loss of the campaign for Tuchel. When Borussia won their next game 2-0 at Mainz without the Gabon international scoring, there were suggestions that he may be set to enter a barren streak in front of goal after failing to convert several decent goal scoring opportunities during that game.
However, Aubameyang silenced those doubters. He proceeded to score all three goals in a Europa League victory at Azerbaijan team Quabla and then repeated that effort with another hat-trick at the weekend when Dortmund overwhelmed Augsburg 5-1 at Signal-Iduna Park. The former Saint Etienne striker also provided an assist for Marco Reus in that game but his goals in recent weeks have been characterised by his positioning at the far post, acting on his predatory instincts as the ball is delivered by whatever means across the penalty area.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now joined Lewandowski as leading striker in the current Bundesliga campaign with 13 goals, already equalling his first season total with signs that more may be forthcoming as Thomas Tuchel continues with his adventurous approach to football. Already, 29 goals have been netted by the team in 10 league games.
The only problem for Dortmund may be in retaining the services of their leading striker during the January transfer window, with the 26 year old French born player currently in peak form and potentially a target for one of the elite European teams.
