Match Ratings: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund completed a disappointing week yesterday, with a draw away at Eintracht Frankfurt. Taken in isolation, the result wasn’t that bad, since Frankfurt are a tough out, but following a week where BVB lost to Cologne, drew with Lazio, and lost Haaland, Akanji, and Meunier to injury, it is another knock to the momentum the team was building. It also feels like a missed opportunity, with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig drawing 3-3 yesterday.

BVB were poor in the first half, conceding early to a Daichi Kamada goal, but they picked it up in the second half, in part because Lucien Favre subbed Moukoko on, and dropped Brandt deeper into midfield. However, the team were unable to maintain the energy levels they came out with at the beginning of the half, and ultimately couldn’t find a winner late in the game. Here are our player ratings from yesterday’s performance:

Starters

Roman Burki

Paul: 5

Didn’t do a brilliant job with Kamada’s early chance, which resulted in Frankfurt going 1-0 up.

Gregory: 5

Kamada’s early goal was not his fault, and didn't do much else for the rest of the game.

Mats Hummels

Paul: 6

Gregory: 6

Solid, but not perfect. The whole backline struggled with Frankfurt’s press, not having Haaland as a potential option, and the apparent lack of outlet passes.

Emre Can

Paul: 6

Gregory: 6

Made some big challenges when needed, and went forward a couple times. Rarely played the attacking passes that we have come to expect from him and rarely had genuine outlet options against Frankfurt’s press, due to the lack of pace in BVB’s frontline.

Dan-Axel Zagadou

Paul: 6

Zagadou’s return to the starting lineup was much needed, and he managed to survive the full 90 minutes against Frankfurt, looking okay in the process.

Gregory: 6

Looked rusty at first, especially against Frankfurt’s press. Glad to have him back in the match squad and improve in the coming weeks.

Mateu Morey

Paul: 6

Gregory: 6

A clear upgrade on Meunier for the match today, and was much better at playing at wingback than the Belgian. Played much better in combination play with Sancho than Meunier has done in past weeks, and bringing the best out of Sancho is a clear recipe for success for Dortmund in the future.

Nico Schulz

Paul: 7

Schulz has struggled ever since joining BVB last summer, but he had an especially tough time in his midweek cameo against Lazio. He made up for his performance on Wednesday a little by putting in a good shift yesterday.

Gregory: 6

It was a good performance from Schulz, but not the manner that I expected. He did very well defensively, but rarely got into attacking positions and had little offensive productivity. When he did attempt more crosses in the latter stages of the match, crosses were peppered all over the box, in typical Schulz fashion, rarely finding anyone at all.

Axel Witsel

Paul: 5

Witsel hasn’t looked himself this season. It seems like he is struggling with the physical demands following a short turnaround in the summer. He never really got into the game yesterday.

Gregory: 6

Mo Dahoud

Paul: 5

Gregory: 5

I did not realize he was playing until he came off for Moukoko.

Jadon Sancho

Paul: 7

Gregory: 7

With the possible exception of Gio Reyna, Sancho was BVB’s best performer on the pitch yesterday. He offered consistent runs into the box, created space with his dribbles and created multiple chances that others failed to capitalize on. Unfortunately none of his chances ended up in the back of the net. While his finishing could have been better on a couple occasions, sometimes opportunities just don't come off as you would expect them to. That has been the story of Sancho’s season so far.

Gio Reyna

Paul: 7

Gregory: 7

Reyna can be so frustrating to watch. On the ball, he had his moments of sheer brilliance, resulting in a goal as well as several potential opportunities created for other players on the team. In-between those moments, Reyna bowed under the pressure of Frankfurt’s press and the chaotic nature of possession in this game. Overall, a good performance from the youngster.

Julian Brandt

Paul: 6

I’d give Brandt a 4 for his efforts in the first half, and a 7 for the second half. I’ll meet somewhere in the middle, and let him off for some of his struggles as a false 9, given that he has never looked comfortable leading the line, yet Favre continues to try him there.

Gregory: 6

A tale of two halves. Brandt at CF was at as lackluster as you would expect. A non threat at being an option for potential passes in behind the high backline of Frankfurt, and his willingness to drop deeper and aid possession was only met with a resilient press from the opponents. In the second half, he played as the more advanced center midfielder and looked way more comfortable in that role and position. Created some very dangerous opportunities in the beginning of the second half but BVB failed to take advantage of his improved play.

Substitutes

Youssoufa Moukoko

Paul: 7

Moukoko’s presence made a difference in the second half.

Gregory: 7

One of the several reasons that turned the game around. Phenomenal from the 16 year old, but without a goal to show for him.

Jude Bellingham

Paul: 6

Gregory: 6

Overall

Paul: 6

BVB were poor in the first half, but improved after the break. Favre deserves a lot of credit for the changes he made at half time, as Moukoko’s presence seemed to help create space for his teammates, and Brandt looked a lot better when sitting a little deeper. They were unable to sustain that improvement for the whole of the second half, however, and that was disappointing. There were some tired legs out there, which raises questions about Favre’s decision to make only two substitutions. I can only assume that Reus and Hazard were not fully fit.

Gregory: 6

Favre’s initial game plan was disappointing. The team needs to finish chances when provided with them, but an encouraging performance from Moukoko was one of the few takeaways from the match. Would have enjoyed seeing Hazard instead of Schultz at wingback in the second half.