Borussia Dortmund complete a week of extensive travelling on Wednesday and appear ready for upcoming tasks after returning to winning ways with a 2-1 Champions League victory in Azerbaijan from Serhou Guirassy's brace.
Guirassy's goals against Sabah in Baku brought his tally in the elite event to 21 since arriving in Dortmund in 2024. Only Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane of Bayern Munich have scored more goals in the period.
"Serhou is a machine, I don't really have to say anything more," goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said.
Playmaker Joey Veerman, who provided the assist for the winner, added that Guirassy "is really dangerous on crosses even though he is marked by two men. He is a really good striker for us."
The victory ended a run of three games without success: Bundesliga draws against Werder Bremen (2-2) and Union Berlin (0-0) and in-between a 1-0 defeat in the Champions League at Norway's Bodø/Glimt.
"It was very important for us because the mood was quite low after the last results. But that defines big teams. They win games like this one," Guirassy said.
Coach Niko Kovac was happy that his players created chances again in Azerbaijan after rather toothless showings at Bodø and Union.
He said the team could have "won by three or four goals," but he also insisted: "Many people think you go to Norway and Azerbaijan and it is easy. No, it isn't easy."
Sporting director Ole Book added: "We took a significant step forward in terms of the way we played football."
Dortmund will have it easier as far as travelling is concerned in upcoming weeks after their trip to the Arctic Circle last week, back to Germany for the Union game and then on to Azerbaijan and back.
Dortmund play four of their five matches until the next international break at home, starting with Saturday's Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt, and followed by another meeting with Bremen in the German Cup, Real Betis in the Champions League and Elversberg in the Bundesliga.
The lone away game on October 31 is however a big one: Germany's Der Klassiker at Bayern Munich, with who Dortmund are tied on points at the top of the Bundesliga.
"I am quite happy that we are now playing at home again," Book said.