They are unstoppable in 2023. Borussia Dortmund scored a three in the sixth league game in a row and made the Bundesliga a thriller again: only the goal difference separates the Edins Terzics BVB team from the top of the table. The winners and losers of the game as well as the grades and individual reviews of the BVB pros.
Despite the clear result, it wasn’t a black and yellow gala, but of course BVB can be satisfied with the victory over Hertha BSC. One of the best involuntarily became the unlucky one.
WINNER OF THE MATCH: Karim Adeyemi
The unlucky fellow and still the winner of the game: With strong sprints and great dribbling, Adeyemi showed again how important he can be for Dortmund. A real win in this form. It is all the more regrettable that the national player injured himself so early – the next assignment is uncertain. It would be important for BVB if the 21-year-old was available again soon – who would have thought that before the start of the second half of the season? Rating: 1.5.
LOSER OF THE MATCH: Marius Wolf
Huge workload, great fighting effort, but a latent risk in the Dortmund game: Wolf made too many blunders to end up with the grade above the line. The all-rounder can do that much better. Grade: 4.5.
Christensen – Uremovic (68th Rogel), Kempf, M. Dardai – M. Richter, Cigerci (79th Boateng), Plattenhardt, Tousart, S. Serdar (68th Boetius) – Ngankam (68th Scherhant), Niederlechner (68th Lukebakio)
yellow cards
BVB: Ryerson (58th)
Hertha: Cigerci (58′), Rogel (75′)
BVB goalkeeper
Gregory Kobel: Strong first half with five saves. In Niederlechner’s attempt from a distance on the post (21st). Kobel also stayed cool with Cigerci’s cracker (37′). Shortly after the break without a chance in the 1:2 of the guests. In stoppage time again twice on the spot, a safe support. Grade: 2.
BVB: Defense
Julian Ryerson: Had a hard time against Richter and the agile Tousart. In the first half, almost all of Hertha’s attacks went over the Norwegian’s side. Clearly too many ball losses (21), Ryerson has to get better. grade: 4
Mats Hummels: The veteran had recently taken a back seat without complaint and was rewarded with a place in the starting eleven against Hertha. With strong diagonal passes to the top. A little uncertainty at the back in the first half, and too hesitant before the 1: 2 against Berlin’s Ngankam (46th). grade: 4
Nico Schlotterbeck: The fog had just lifted when the BVB defender couldn’t see through to Niederlechner (21′). After that it improved significantly. Strongest duel at BVB. Also constantly involved in the build-up and with the most Dortmund ball actions in the entire game (105). Note 3.
Marius Wolf: Bad blunder right at the beginning, but Ngankam couldn’t use the gift just before BVB’s sixteen (12′). With a number of dangerous ball losses (14), including before the goal to make it 1:2. Could hardly make up for his deficits even with another big effort. Grade: 4.5.
BVB: Midfield
Salih Ozcan: Is currently clearly in the shadow of Can. Unexcited appearance with some defects. Couldn’t always keep the growing Hertha away from the goal in time. grade: 4
Emre Can: Emre, the libero. Again and again he dropped far back and thus strengthened the defence. Resolutely against Ngankam (9th). Lots of ball wins. Gives the Dortmund game a lot of security at the moment without falling into old careless mistakes. Note 3.
Julian Brandt: Confirmed the form of the past few weeks. Again and again with good ideas and strong allusions. Worked well backwards too. Starting point of the attacks that led to the first and second BVB goal. Rewarded himself in the 90th minute with the goal to make it 4:1. Grade: 2.5.
Marco Reus: The captain rotated back into the starting eleven and had the first big chance for black and yellow. Was completely free on the five, but headers are not his thing (25th). But with a strong start before the 1:0. Even better: His free kick to make it 3:1 (76th). Grade: 2.5.
Karim Adeyemi: With a fine back-heel, the international gave BVB a 1-0 lead (27th). Only four minutes later, Adeyemi shone with the perfect assist for Dortmund’s second goal (31st). What bad luck for the shooting star: He injured himself on the move and had to leave the field before the break. Rating: 1.5.
BVB: Attack
Donyell Paint: In the 21st attempt it finally worked with the first goal of the season in the Bundesliga. After Adeyemi’s perfect preliminary work, the Dutchman kept his nerve and pushed in to make it 2-0. Earned the sense of achievement with great effort. Note 3.
BVB: Substitute
Jamie Bynoe Gittens: Had to play for the injured winger Adeyemi before the break. Flew under the radar for a long time. Then only carelessly missed a big chance to make it 3:1 (65th). But in the final minute with great dribbling, great overview and the pass before the 4:1. Note 3.
Jude Bellingham: Executive visit from the 66th minute. Brought train and structure back into the Dortmund game against Hertha, who were becoming cheekier. Note 3.
Sebastien Haller: The striker was also allowed to play again in the last 25 minutes, he came on for the improved Malen. Couldn’t put himself in the spotlight anymore. Grade: 3.5.
Niklas Sule: Short-term effort in the last three minutes to ensure victory over time. The national defender came for captain Reus. No rating.
