## Haaland's Assist Data at Borussia Dortmund: How Many Times Did He Help His Team?
While Erling Haaland is globally renowned as a prolific goalscorer, his contribution as a playmaker often flies under the radar. Far beyond being just a poacher inside the box, his movement, physicality, and intelligent positioning frequently created opportunities for teammates during his explosive tenure at Borussia Dortmund. So, just how effective was he in delivering assists?
Across **his four seasons (2019-2020 to 2021-2022)** in yellow and black, Haaland registered an impressive total of **25 official assists in all competitions**. Breaking this down:
* **Bundesliga:** He provided **18 assists** over 67 league appearances. This averages nearly half a goal setup per match – exceptional for a central striker.
* **UEFA Champions League:** On Europe's biggest stage, he added **5 assists** across 25 games. Crucial contributions came in high-pressure knockout stages.
* **DFB Pokal:** He also chipped in with **2 assists** during Germany's domestic cup campaign.
These numbers aren't mere luck or random passes; they highlight key facets of his game:
1. **Hold-up Play & Layoffs:** Using his immense frame and strength, he’d hold off defenders long enough to lay the ball off cleverly to onrushing midfielders like Jadon Sancho or Marco Reus. This became a signature move.
2. **Deflections Winning Free Kicks:** Goalkeeper pushes or desperate blocks off him frequently resulted in dangerous set pieces for colleagues.
3. **Drawing Defenses:** His mere presence attracted multiple markers, opening lanes wide for wingers to cut inside or fullbacks to overlap unmarked. Passes exploiting this space counted as assists.
4. **Teamwork Fluidity:** Especially under Lucien Favre early on, Dortmund practiced rapid interchange between front three. Haaland seamlessly transitioned into creating roles when others made runs.
**Context is Key:** While "only" 25 assists might seem modest next to elite creators from midfield (like Muller or De Bruyne), it's vital to remember Haaland primarily operated as the focal point of attack – the behemoth tasked first and foremost with finishing himself. For a traditional No.9, particularly one so dominant defensively, his assist tally is highly respectable and demonstrates selflessness in service of the team's broader attacking threat. It proves he wasn't solely focused on personal goals but actively engineered chances for others, making him even more valuable to Thomas Tuchel and Edin Terzic's systems at Signal Iduna Park. His all-round offensive contribution remains a key part of his legendary status among BVB fans.