Borussia Dortmund took the lead in the Bundesliga with a 3-0 win at FC Augsburg and is two points ahead of FC Bayern going into the last matchday. The winners and losers of the game as well as the grades and individual reviews of the BVB players.
After a dominant and playfully convincing first half, in which Dortmund left several top-class players, it was only a matter of time before the redeeming goal was scored. Double goal scorer Haller was by no means the only BVB professional who shone in the masterly performance.
Here is the match report.
Match winner: Mats Hummels (BVB)
Once again the leader on the pitch. Since the absences of Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle, the 34-year-old has been brilliant in central defence. His presence is indispensable for BVB. He could become the unsung hero of the championship. There is no way around extending his contract, which expires in the summer, if this does not fail because of Hummels himself. The deserved reward: When he was substituted, he was accompanied by chants.
Match winner: Sebastien Haller (BVB)
It is undoubtedly the story of this Bundesliga season. After months of suffering and a difficult start to the second half of the season, Haller has been the decisive building block in the outstanding BVB offensive for weeks. The fact that he also scored the possibly title-deciding goals to 1-0 and 2-0 against Augsburg is the icing on the cake.
Loser of the game: Felix Uduokhai (FC Augsburg)
Even before he did his side a disservice by being sent off in the first half, he wasn’t having the best day. Unusually sloppy in the game structure, not always up to par against Haller and his fast followers.
Gregory Kobel: Had nothing to do for a long time in the first half before he made a brilliant save against Demirovic shortly before the end. At the time, the Swiss could not have known that he had started offside. His brilliant feat against Cardona, which was so important, was even better shortly after the lead (63rd). Grade: 2.5.
Borussia Dortmund: Defender
Marius Wolf: Again and again went the long way to the baseline, in the offensive duels enormously bilious. Defensively rarely or not at all required. Solid appearance. Note 3.
Niklas Sule: Was inattentive once when Beljo escaped behind him, but luckily for Süle he couldn’t get the ball by a hair’s breadth (18′). Otherwise the usual solid rock, albeit without the really big moments – which of course doesn’t have to mean anything bad as a central defender. But on the contrary. Note 3.
Mats Hummels: Underlined again why he is currently seeded in central defence. In critical moments he calmed down and in the build-up he shone with room-opening passes. His lob over the entire FCA defense, which led to Haller’s big chance, was reminiscent of his best days (20th). In addition, with an unusual number of ball wins for him (7). Shortly after the change of sides, he received deserved applause for winning a duel against Demirovic (50th). Only with Cardona’s big chance did he not look quite as good due to lack of speed. His risky trip in the 77th minute was also somewhat unnecessary. Grade: 2.
Julian Ryerson: Concentrated mainly on his defensive tasks, he left most of the offensive work to Adeyemi in front. However, he was not always up to par with Augsburg’s counterattacks. In terms of positional play, there is still room for improvement. So it will be difficult with a regular place in the coming season if, for example, Ramy Bensebaini moves to Dortmund. grade: 4
Borussia Dortmund: midfielder
Emre Can: Conducted his teammates when building up the game against the Augsburg bulwark. When he got involved himself, the national player played one or the other dangerous through ball. Most of the time, however, he secured counterattacks. Although he lacked speed a few times in these scenes, he knew how to compensate with good positional play. Note 3.
Julian Brandt: Fetched the balls against the mostly deep Augsburgers on the center line to boost the game. But he also pricked the penalty area with his runs. Failed three times at the shiny Koubek. Shortly before the final whistle it worked with the goal. Grade: 2.
Raphael Guerreiro: Replaced the ailing Jude Bellingham in central midfield and put his stamp on the offensive game with his creativity and fine technique – for example with his pass to Malen in front of Adeyemi’s big chance (10th). Guerreiro’s style of play was just the right one to break through Augsburg’s defence. It might have been a different game with Bellingham. Another application for a new contract. Grade: 2.
Borussia Dortmund: attacker
Donyell Paint: Once again the most conspicuous BVB attacker on the pitch. With some dangerous shots like in the 5th minute and always with a good eye for his teammates. Augsburg’s defense rarely got hold of him. The red card for Uduokhai after the emergency brake was significant and certainly not a coincidence. He also played a key role in both Haller goals. Rating: 1.5.
Sebastien Haller: Wall player, ball distributor, restless – the Ivorian continued exactly where he left off in the past few weeks. In addition, the scorer almost made it 1-0 when he did everything right with his hook against Gouweleeuw, but found his champion in FCA keeper Koubek (20′). He was all the more calm when he scored from an acute angle to make it 1-0 (59th). His second prank, on the other hand, was child’s play. Rating: 1.5.
Karim Adeyemi: Missed the huge chance to make it 1-0 early because his shot was deflected at the last moment (10th). Otherwise, his inimitable speed dribbles are particularly noticeable, but he lost some ground in the second half. Note 3.
Borussia Dortmund: Substitute
Salih Oczan: Came in for the broken Adeyemi in the 72nd minute to stabilize the defense and provide additional security on counterattacks. However, his services were no longer really needed. No rating.
Marco Reus: Was allowed to play for Guerreiro (81st) in the final phase to bring about the preliminary decision. He also had this on his foot when he failed at Koubek. But he now has one template more on the account. No rating.
Nico Schlotterbeck: Came in for Hummels in the first minute of stoppage time and set up Brandt’s goal to make it 3-0 after winning the ball. No rating.
Giovanni Reyna: Replaced Malen shortly before the end (90+2). No rating.
