Batshuayi stars on Dortmund debut with 2 goals and an...
BERLIN (AP) - Michy Batshuayi scored two goals and set up another on his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund in a 3-2 win over last-place Cologne on Friday.
"It was the first game. It was difficult," Batshuayi said. "The important thing is that we won."
The Belgian forward, who joined Dortmund on loan from Chelsea on Wednesday, scored his first goal 10 minutes before the break, blasting the ball past goalkeeper Timo Horn after an assist by Jeremy Toljan.
Dortmund's new forward Michy Batshuayi celebrates after scoring his second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
"(It was a) dream debut," Batshuayi said on Twitter.
Batshuayi thought he'd scored another just before halftime, again set up by Toljan, but the goal was ruled offside after an intervention from the video referee.
Christian Pulisic was partly to blame for Cologne's equalizer on the hour-mark after losing the ball in midfield. Simon Zoller scored on the rebound after Roman Buerki saved Dominique Heintz' effort.
Batshuayi got his second goal almost immediately afterward, with Pulisic atoning for his mistake with the assist.
Jorge Mere equalized minutes later with the back of his head from a corner.
But Batshuayi played Andre Schuerrle through to score late on a counterattack, giving coach Peter Stoeger a win on his return to his former side.
Cologne, which sacked Stoeger in December after a winless start, suffered its first loss in five games and remained four points behind Werder Bremen in the relegation playoff place.
"It wasn't a game for weak nerves," Stoeger said after his team ended a run of three draws. "It was an important win."
Dortmund moved to second place, ahead of Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference having played an extra game.
Dortmund's new forward Michy Batshuayi celebrates beside Cologne's Marco Hoeger after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro jumps for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Dortmund's Andre Schuerrle celebrates after scoring the winning final goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Cologne was defeated by Dortmund with 2-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Cologne's Salih Ozcan, left, and Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Dortmund's team celebrates after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Cologne was defeated by Dortmund with 2-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Dortmund's Andre Schuerrle scores his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Dortmund's Andre Schuerrle celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund in Cologne, Germany, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)