Player Ratings: Dortmund 4-0 1.FC Rielasingen Arlen

As expected BVB had no problem in their first round match-up against 1.FC Rielasingen-Arlen. It was a good showing from Bosz’s team to start the title defense in the DFB Cup.

COACH

Peter Bosz: 7

This is probably not the best game to analyse Bosz’s tactical prowess. BVB easily outplayed the sixth tier side and controlled the game. The offense looked good but the defense had a few shaky moments. It’s still early but right now it seems that BVB will be prone to concede goals on counter attacks. Rielasingen-Arlen did not have the quality to really take advantage of Dortmund’s defensive frailties but the extremely high backline will lead to a few bad moments against better sides.

STARTING XI

Roman Bürki: 8

Did not have much to do but was there when needed.

Jan-Niklas Beste: 7

A very good performance from Beste who could be the next player in a long line of BVB academy players that break through into the first team. He set up Bartra’s opening goal and had an all-around solid game.

Marc Bartra: 7

He scored! Apart from giving BVB the lead he had an uneventful game.

Sokratis: 6

Kept the defense together but wasn’t challenged all that much.

Lukasz Piszczek: 6

Solid on defense but had not much impact going forward.

Nuri Sahin: 8

Very good performance from Sahin. His pass to Beste before the first goal was vintage Sahin. He controlled the pace of the game with smart passes that set up most of BVB’s attacks.

Mahmoud Dahoud: 7

Initiated a lot of BVB attacks and adopted the creative part in midfield like we expect him to do.

Gonzalo Castro: 5

Wait, he played?

André Schürrle: 4

BVB’s most expensive signing of all-time has been outplayed by a 22-year-old right back who is not a professional football player from a sixth-tier side. Let that sink in for a second.

Maximilian Philipp: 7

Had a few good runs throughout the game. Set up the penalty when he got fouled on his way to a certain goal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 9 MOTM

3 goals from Auba who could have had 5 or 6 but still he got the job done.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Shinji Kagawa: 5

He’s finally back. Shinji will need a few more games to get back in shape after his injury.

Alexander Isak: NR

Came on in the 71st minute for Sahin.

Felix Passlack: NR

Came on in the 84th minute for Philipp.