Borussia Dortmund defeated a struggling Union Berlin in a match that was anything but straightforward.

The first half saw early goals from both teams as well as three prolonged VAR checks, each time halting play and breaking any kind of momentum.

Both teams had a goal ruled out and Union were awarded a questionably soft penalty kick when Sheraldo Becker kicked into the bottom of Mats Hummels' outstretched foot inside of the box.

The second half was exciting for Dortmund fans as our squad was much better organized.

The addition of Julian Brandt to the attacking midfield was brilliant as he became something of a catalyst in the attacking buildup.

Nico Schlotterbeck missed out on the recent German National Team Call-ups and I think he displayed why he should have been picked with his impressive performance, crowned with an equalizing strike from outside the box.

Marco Reus set up Julian Brandt for the third goal, but only after Fullkrug appeared to direct him to do so during the counterattack.

Finally, Julian Ryerson made it 4-2, scoring in his second consecutive league match.

After that, it became clear that Dortmund were taking control.

This was Dortmund's fourth consecutive league win and I hope fans will feel a bit better about the Edin Terzic and BVB heading into this International Break.

The second half of this game was perhaps the brightest forty-five minutes of football we've seen from Dortmund this season.

The defense was compact and organized while our attacking players were actually creative.

Brandt, Reus, and Fullkrug seem to have a solid understanding of one another through the attack.

Even our defenders were finding the net! Dortmund dominated the second half and deservedly won, but they looked like a completely different squad in the second half than the first.

Home matches need to start stronger.

Niklas Fullkrug Makes Dortmund Better It's pretty amazing how quickly Fullkrug has found his place in the Starting XI.

He's not a typical striker but he might just be the striker that Dortmund has needed.

He was incredibly creative in his play today, despite that touch he had on Union's opening goal.

In the fifty-fourth minute, Reus found space in the midfield and sprinted with the ball.

Fullkrug was the obvious choice for Reus to pass to continue progression, but Fullkrug could be seen pointing his finger in a clear gesture directing Reus to pass up the field to Brandt, who had more space ahead of him, running into the box.

This highlighted his spatial intelligence in the game, while still exhibiting an unselfish drive to see the team win.

Reus delivered a great pass to Brandt who slotted it home to take the lead.

Fullkrug was involved in nearly every attack and I admire his ability to find space.

We've been pretty critical of Dortmund in the recent transfer window, but I'm beginning to think Fullkrug will be our best signing of the season.

Last time BVB made a panic purchase of a striker, (Modeste) he scored two goals for the club.

Fullkrug netted his second today and I feel confident he'll score more.

The second half highlighted individual talent from both Can and Nmecha but the two still didn't seem to be meshing as a cohesive unit.

Emre Can has been out of form.

We know it, Edin Terzic knows it and Julian Naglesman knows it.

Can is capable of much better and I think we will see that from him again, but right now it's clear he's struggling and I'm not sure Terzic has quite figured out how best to utilize a player like Nmecha.

He has moments of brilliant play, stealing the ball or dribbling around players, but he does so little that's actually productive.

Every time he makes a good run, I'll see two or three players who are open to pass, but Nmecha somehow sends the ball to someone heavily marked.

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or he takes a wild shot that has no chance of going in.

Nmecha was also omitted from Julian Naglesman's call-ups.

Today showed why Brandt and Fullkrug were picked while Can or Nmecha were not.

I hope Hummels's injury substitution was just precautionary.

I'd hate to see him miss out on his German National Team recall.

Your Thoughts What did you think of Dortmund's 4-2 win over Union Berlin? What were your key takeaways?.