BVB fought their way to a 4-3 win against FC Augsburg at the start of the Bundesliga in 2023. The lucky touch of trainer Edin Terzic also favored the success. There was also an emotional comeback and two major disappointments. Here are the grades and individual reviews of the Dortmund professionals as well as the winners and losers of the game.
BVB made up two points on leaders Bayern Munich with the triumph, but the wild exchange of blows against FCA revealed some weaknesses.
SPOX shows the winners and losers and the individual reviews of the BVB pros.
GAME WINNER: Sebastien Haller
A little football fairy tale – maybe even a little more. A good six months after the shock diagnosis of a testicular tumor, the star striker celebrated his competitive debut for Borussia Dortmund. At the training camp in Marbella, the Ivorian had fueled hopes of an early comeback, but it was anything but a matter of course that it was already happening. When Haller came on for Moukoko in the 62nd minute, the former Westfalenstadion was upside down. If Hummels had used his dream pass in injury time, it would be unthinkable. Note 3.
LOSERS OF THE GAME: Youssoufa Moukoko
Even received a few whistles from the south stand before kick-off when his contract extension was officially announced. His weeks of poker didn’t seem to go down too well with some fans. In the game for a long time with a magic cloak. Hardly playable, with only five ball actions and no shot on goal. Negligently missed a huge chance in the middle of the first half. grade: 5
BVB: GOALKEEPER
Gregory Kobel: Strange game for Dortmund’s number one. Kobel was almost unemployed for 40 minutes. Even Demirovic’s jump on the bar (13th) was harmless. Nevertheless, Kobel went into the break with two goals and conceded another goal after the change because his defense often let him down. Grade: 3.5
BVB: DEFENSE
Julian Ryerson: The Norwegian has not even been with BVB for a week and has made it straight into the starting XI. Made a decent debut replacing the injured Thomas Meunier. With the most ball actions of all BVB players before the break. But he still has to work on the fine-tuning with his colleagues. Note 3.
Mats Hummels: The chief of defense with light and shadow. Hummels actually had everything under control for a long time and kept intervening in the attacks. Had his own big chance with his head and artistically failed in the follow-up shot only on the outside netting. Looked bad at 2-2 when he couldn’t follow Demirovic. Even in the wild final phase not always up to par. grade: 4
Nico Schlotterbeck: Somewhat surprisingly, he was given preference over national team colleague Süle. His bad stick error against Augsburg’s Beljo initiated the 1:1 equalization of the guests. Just two minutes later, the defender made up for his mistake and headed in to make it 2-1. His second Bundesliga goal in the BVB jersey. Overall not confident enough. grade: 4
Raphael Guerreiro: Provided many accents on offense, but often lacked accuracy or overview. So already after three minutes, when he ran free, but twisted the pass into the back of the Augsburg defense or at the very end, when he could have made it 5:3. Didn’t always keep his left side tight though. Grade: 3.5.
BVB: MIDFIELD
Salih Ozcan: Gave the only defensive man in midfield. Initially unwound his program inconspicuously. Very large insert and radius. But then lost the thread in the final phase of the first half. A little unhappy even before the first goal. After that he had problems again and again, being the only six to keep the defensive midfield tight against Augsburg’s cheeky attacks. Maybe he needs more support at headquarters after all. grade: 5
Karim Adeyemi: Showed a lot of good approaches and, above all, some worth seeing combinations with Brandt and Bellingham. But as in the previous year, there was often a lack of consistency in the last game. Was far too rarely able to assert himself in one-on-ones. A whopping eleven turnovers in the first round. grade: 4
Julian Brandt: Moved in for Captain Reus, who didn’t get fit in time and wasn’t even in the squad. With many good ideas that were not implemented well by the teammates. Great pass to Malen (36′). Several times with extremely dangerous free kicks, one of which made it 2: 1 (42nd). Grade: 2.5.
Jude Bellingham: The pivotal point in the Dortmund game, clearly the boss on the pitch. He drove his BVB forward again and again and encouraged the audience to support. Dream pass to Guerreiro (3rd), starting point of the dangerous double chance from Guerreiro and Malen (18th). Rewarded himself with the goal to make it 1-0 when he danced out Engels. Grade: 2.
Donyell Paint: Huge effort, little return. You can almost feel sorry for the Dutchman. Appeared several times in a promising position, but couldn’t put the ball in the goal. Grade: 4.5.
BVB: ATTACK
Youssoufa Moukoko: As mentioned above, his first game after the contract extension could not have gone much worse. grade: 5
BVB: SUBSTITUTE
Jamie Bynoe Gittens: Came in for Malen in the 70th minute. Great joker performance by the Englishman. Circled the ball wonderfully around the Augsburg defense to make it 3:2 (74th). No rating.
Gioro Reyna: Also came in the 70th minute, for Adeyemi. Needed a few minutes longer start-up, but then also followed up with a beautiful goal to make it 4:3. Even had a second hit on the foot multiple times but wanted to make it too nice. No rating.
Niklas Sule: Brief use in stoppage time to save the narrow lead to the finish. Came for Brandt. No rating.
