On matchday 27, BVB narrowly beat Union Berlin 2-1 (1-0) in the Bundesliga duel. The grades and individual reviews of all players used by Borussia Dortmund.
In the first half, a scooped goal from Donyell Malen, after some good work from Raphael Guerreiro, put the Black and Yellows ahead. Kevon Behrens equalized to make it 1-1 with half an hour remaining before Joker Youssoufa Moukoko secured a late goal to make it 2-1.
Match winner: Raphael Guerreiro
The linchpin of the offensive game – and that as a left-back: When Raphael Guerreiro is in a good mood, he is one of the best players in Europe. The Portuguese managed his 11th assist of the current season. That makes him the assist king in the league. If the colleagues had played along, there would be even more. The fact that he defensively builds in one or the other wobbler – for free!
Loser of the game: Niklas Süle
Niklas Süle was one of the main pillars of Dortmund’s upswing in the new year. But now he has already lined up the third and perhaps weakest appearance in black and yellow in a row. A used afternoon for the national defender. His form dent comes at the worst possible time, as Nico Schlotterbeck is currently injured.
Gregory Kobel: After being under constant fire in the most recent games in Munich and Leipzig, the BVB keeper experienced a calm first half. Safe with high balls from the guests, if necessary rustic with the fist on the ball. In the 1:1 equalization (61st) without a chance to defend. Grade: 3.5.
BVB: Defense
Julian Ryerson: Had a tough time and had to take a beating against his former team-mates. Not always saddle-proof to the rear. Offensively there was hardly any getting through against Gießelmann and Doekhi. But showed infinite commitment, which was celebrated several times by the fans. Note 3.
Niklas Sule: Got a yellow card in a duel with Becker before the first minute of the game was over. Only shortly afterwards with a bad bad pass. Started the second half with a risky back pass that put Kobel in distress. Much too hesitant before the interim compensation to 1:1. grade: 5
Mats Hummels: Sovereign first half by the defense boss, who also led the team as captain instead of bench press Reus. Good timing, often tied into gameplay. In the pressure phase of the guests in the middle of the second round, however, lost a bit of the overview. Grade: 3.5.
Raphael Guerreiro: Because Wolf was out for a short time, the Portuguese had to play at left-back again. Nevertheless, the secret BVB director. Big stakes. With the perfect sharp flank in front of 1:0. His cross to Haller just before the break would have deserved a goal. Rating: 1.5.
BVB: Midfield
Emre Can: Inconspicuous, but super important for the Dortmund game. Stuffed a lot of holes in midfield early on and won back a number of balls. Strongest duel from Dortmund in the first round. Resisted best in the pressure phase of the Berliners. Grade: 2.5.
Jude Bellingham: Back in the starting XI at BVB. A little tighter in appearance than last, threw himself into every duel. Without the really big action in the first half, but the Englishman grabbed the ball again and again and drove the game forward. In the second half with some sags. Grade: 3.5.
Donyell Paint: With the sweeping goal for a 1-0 lead (28th), the Dutchman’s fourth goal in the Bundesliga. Showed a lot of effort and some strong dribbles down the right flank. Malen also dared to take dangerous shots from a distance (44th). Grade: 2.5.
Julian Brandt: Significantly improved over recent performances. Had a lot of good ideas. Starting point at 1:0. Strong pass rate. Note 3.
Karim Adeyemi: Was caught early on with a penalty and saw a yellow card for it (16th). Also made too many ball losses. But it was still important for BVB, because with him a lot more speed and unpredictability came into play for Borussia. In the 69th minute the battery was empty. Note 3.
BVB: Attack
Sebastien Haller: Almost invisible in the first half, with only a meager 15 ball contacts. Missed the huge chance to make it 2-0 just before the break when he was heavily used by Guerreiro. Grade: 4.5.
BVB: Substitute
Jamie Bynoe Gittens: Replaced the exhausted Adeyemi in the 69th minute. Had the 3:1 on the foot in the 90th minute. Grade: 3.5.
Youssoufa Moukoko: From the 74th for the hapless Haller on the pitch. Showed his best striker instinct when making the goal to make it 2-1 and then had the calm to sink the ball. The BVB striker’s seventh goal of the season and already the 12th joker goal for Dortmund. No rating
Marco Reus: The captain had to stew on the bench for a long time and only joined the team for Malen in the final quarter of an hour. Involved in the second BVB goal, but rather involuntarily. No rating.
Salih Ozcan: Had to come back for Brandt in the closing stages to strengthen midfield and go the last six minutes without conceding a goal. No rating.
