Dortmund romp past Gladbach

Berlin - Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored twice as Borussia Dortmund thrashed Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0 on Saturday to kick off their Bundesliga season with a bang.

Marcel Heller also found the net twice, including a sensational 70-metre solo run for his first goal, as promoted Darmstadt 98 marked their return to the Bundesliga after 33 years with a 2-2 draw with Hanover 96.

Dortmund, in last place midway through last season before a comeback rescued a Europa League spot, showed they mean business under new coach Thomas Tuchel, giving Gladbach, third last season, no chance whatsoever.

It was also the perfect Bundesliga debut on the Dortmund bench for Tuchel, eager to quickly shake off the shadow of his predecessor Juergen Klopp, who won two German league titles with them.

Marco Reus' unstoppable shot beat keeper Yann Sommer in the 15th minute and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled their lead six minutes later, heading in a Marcel Schmelzer cross.

With Dortmund keeping up their frenzied attacking pace it did not take long for them to score again, with a three-touch attack sending Mkhitaryan clear at the far post for a tap in.

The Armenian, who struggled for form last season, added another five minutes after the restart from a Reus cutback as the defence of Gladbach, who will play in the Champions League group stage, looked out of sorts.

Schalke 04 also began their season in style, crushing hosts Werder Bremen 3-0 to give their new coach Andre Breitenreiter a winning debut with the Ruhr valley club.

Werder's Theodor Gebre Selassie gave the visitors an unexpected lead when he chipped the ball over his own keeper and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting slotted in from a superb Joel Matip through ball in the 68th minute.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar completed their win after Leroy Sane charged forward and cut back for the Dutchman, who became the fourth best Bundesliga scorer for the club.

Bayer Leverkusen came from a goal down to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 with Stefan Kiessling and Julian Brandt on target in either half after Steven Zuber had given the visitors a fifth-minute lead.

Promoted Ingolstadt stunned hosts Mainz 05 1-0 with Hertha Berlin edging past Augsburg with the same score and with both teams finishing with 10 players after the dismissal of Augsburg's Raul Bobadilla with a second yellow card and Roy Beerens following suit midway through the second half.

Champions Bayern Munich demolished Hamburg SV 5-0 on Friday in their season opener.