Match Ratings: Borussia Dortmund’s Scrappy 1-0 Win in the DFB Pokal

It’s amazing how quickly the mood of a fanbase can change. Just a couple weeks ago everyone was despairing at the terrible state of Borussia Dortmund’s season so far. There were questions about whether or not BVB would even qualify for the Europa League, let alone the Champions League. Questions were raised about Terzic’s ability to steer Dortmund through the remainder of the season without everything going horribly wrong. That will happen when you suffer four straight losses in the Bundesliga, adding a poor performance against Paderborn in the cup, and a late equalizer against Hoffenheim to avoid falling to a fifth consecutive league loss.

Since that draw against Hoffenheim, Dortmund have gone on a run of four straight wins, hammering their rivals Schalke, putting themselves in the driving seat in the Champions League tie against Sevilla, and now progressing to the semi final of the DFB Pokal. It wasn’t pretty, but Borussia Dortmund beat Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0, though a second half Sancho goal and a disciplined defensive performance.

Next up will be the real test of the recovery, Bayern Munich, but for now, lets enjoy another win! Here are our ratings from yesterday’s game:

Starting XI

Marwin Hitz

Paul: 7

Made a tremendous save against Bensebaini, and was otherwise pretty reliable. Solid effort by Hitz.

Steve: 7.5

I am now tentatively hoping that Hitz starts the Bayern game this weekend. There are no silver bullets against Bayern, but Hitz was actually in goal the last time we beat them in a league game.

Mateu Morey

Paul: 7

Morey has improved significantly in recent games, and the young Spaniard is paying Terzic back for his recent patience. There is no doubting he is talented, and could be a starter for BVB in the future, but until recently he has looked way off the standard needed to do so now. With performances like this, though, Morey is in with a real shot at making this spot his own.

Steve: 8

Watching 5’8” Mateu Morey physically battle with Marcus Thuram and actually come out on top was really fun. I didn’t know he had that in him.

Photo by INA FASSBENDER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Emre Can

Paul: 6

Steve: 7

I really like watching Emre Can pace around the back line, fly into tackles and then take somewhat questionable adventures forward with the ball. He’s reminding me of the best parts of the Sokratis adventure at BVB.

Mats Hummels

Paul: 7

Steve: 6.5

Raphael Guerreiro

N/Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgh

Thomas Delaney

Paul: 5

Steve: 6

Jude Bellingham

Paul: 6

I thought Bellingham was dispossessed a little too easily on occasion, but to his credit, he was also busting a gut all game long. Another solid performance from the young Englishman.

Steve: 6.5

Bellingham was all over the pitch, scrapping it out, but his final decision making resulted in a few too many opportunities wasted.

Mahmoud Dahoud

Paul: 6

I’m not going to be too critical of Dahoud for his red card. It was a silly play, and obviously it could have cost the team, but they got away with it. He had a good game otherwise, and while he wasn’t as good as he has been in the last couple games, he continues to justify his position in the starting eleven.

Steve: 5.5

Don’t we have a few readers who have vowed to vote for Dahoud as MOTM every game until he wins one?

Marco Reus

Paul: 6

Steve: 7

The whole game was a struggle, but Reus gave us a moment of brilliance to spring Sancho for the winner. He held up his run to stay onside and then hit a quick one touch pass where Sancho could go get it.

Jadon Sancho

Paul: 7

The liveliest player in the offense, and he was rewarded for his good performance. Hopefully Sancho keeps up this form against Bayern Munich.

Steve: 8.5

Sancho was MOTM for me. He jumped on his chance and made sure it counted. He is really back to his best and I love it.

Erling Haaland

Paul: 6

Steve: 6

I’m sad his goal didn’t count, but I guess that was a fair call. I’m still not happy about it though.

Substitutes

Nico Schulz

Paul: 6

Schulz was called upon in the first five minutes, with Guerreiro pulling up injured, and he did pretty well.

Steve: 6.5

Nico Schulz came into the game unexpectedly and put in a really important shift. At the key moment, he chased a loose ball to the right side of the pitch, nutmegged a man with his right foot, got his head up and made a good pass.

Thorgan Hazard

Paul: 5

Steve: 5

Just happy to see him get on the pitch.

Dan Axel-Zagadou

N/A

Overall

Paul: 6

It wasn’t a great game, but it was a win, and that’s the main thing. Unfortunately it also came at the expense of injuries to Guerreiro and Sancho, but hopefully both will be ready for the weekend.

Steve: 6

Despite giving high scores to most of our players, I didn’t think this was a great game for the team as a whole. It was a hard fought and chippy kind of game, that the ref really struggled to keep under control. It might make things difficult for Marco Rose at BMG and might even make it a bit awkward for Terzic to work with Rose next year. I wonder how that will work out if Terzic ends up winning the trophy.