Borussia Dortmund were boosted by the return of Jakub Blaszczykowski from injury during their 3-0 friendly win over Slask Wroclaw on Wednesday.
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The Poland international was introduced late on to bring an end to his six-and-a-half months on the sidelines a week before Dortmund host Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup.
Only a few days ago, 28-year-old Blaszczykowski, who tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee in January, said he may not have been able to return to full training for another week, making his return this week a surprise.
"I don't think I'm far off," Blaszczykowski told kicker magazine. "This week's going to be decisive. If everything goes well, then I could start it [team training] again next week."
Instead, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp brought Blaszczykowski's comeback forward, fielding him in the friendly, which was played in his home country.
"My break has been long enough," Blaszczykowski added. "I'm not yet 100 percent, but I'm heading in the right direction. I can feel that it's getting better by the day."
Klopp's team also seem to be improving, with a very attack-minded approach taken to the match in Wroclaw.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ciro Immobile started up front, with fellow forwards Jonas Hofmann and Henrikh Mkhitaryan playing wide in what often became a 4-2-4 formation.
Mkhitaryan and Immobile both got on the scoresheet before further firepower was added in the second half with Adrian Ramos and Dong-Won Ji taking to the field. A goal from the former ensured a comfortable 3-0 win for the Westphalians.