The 2021/22 season is underway and BVB have squandered their first shot at silverware, the DFL-Supercup, losing 3-1 to Bayern Munich last night. I don’t think either side really looked that great, but Bayern were the better team, and they certainly made the most of their chances. It was only the Supercup, but it would have been nice to get one over Bayern. Unfortunately, the makeshift backline did BVB no favors at all, and it made for a tough game.

Here’s how we rated yesterday’s performances:

Starting XI

Gregor Kobel

Paul: 5

Mike: 6

What could he do about any of the goals? Kobel appears to be reading the game really well which is great because the make shift back line is not doing him any favors.

Felix Passlack

Paul: 2

Passlack was in way over his head last night. He was getting torched throughout the game, and was beaten far too easily for the first two goals. I don’t think he’s good enough to be starting for BVB, but especially not against Bayern.

Mike: .157

It isn’t that he was consistently rinsed by whomever popped up on that wing, but he didn’t even look like he wanted the ball at all. His back pass when retreating towards his own corner flag was something I see school children do when they panic.

Manuel Akanji

Paul: 6

He was pretty good throughout the game, but he really screwed up for Bayern’s third goal. I’m not going to be too critical, however, because he spent all game making up for others in defense.

Mike: 6

Akanji was feeling the weight of team with having to partner again with Witsel and knowing Passlack was not going to offer anything for the team.

Axel Witsel

Paul: 6

Didn’t really put a foot wrong, but he was too easily taken out of the game when he didn’t spot emerging threats. Can’t really blame him, given that he’s not a center back!

Mike: 5

Nico Schulz

Paul: 6

I thought Schulz was pretty good!

Mike: 6

Me too.

Mahmoud Dahoud

Paul: 7

Dahoud had a few cheap giveaways in the first half, but otherwise he was excellent. He played some wonderful through balls that, on another day, might have given BVB the advantage.

Mike: 7

Jude Bellingham

Paul: 7

Bellingham also had a couple misplaced passes, though fewer in such dangerous positions. He fought well in the second half, laying up the assist for Reus.

Mike: 7

Gio Reyna

Paul: 5

Mike: 5

Reyna had some silky smooth touches, but just not enough for me. While it wasn’t his best game I really feel like he will have a lot of great games this season.

Marco Reus

Paul: 8

Had some lively moments throughout the game, and scored a wonderful goal.

Mike: 8

Reus looks to be in great form after a nice summer off, going to be a big year for him. Absolutely, positively loved the chip on his shoulder yesterday when jawing with Kimmich in particular. Are BVB starting to develop a bit of a mean streak? Let’s hope.

Youssoufa Moukoko

Paul: 5

Moukoko was a little off the pace at times, but he showed some flashes of his talent. Had he timed his run slightly better, he could have put BVB 1-0 up just before half time.

Mike: 5

Why do we spend €30M euros on Malen to then play the 16 year old ahead of him? Reports are fitness, and I get that, but it’s Bayern Munich at home.

Erling Haaland

Paul: 6

Mike: 6

Did anyone else feel like he was little annoyed yesterday? Not sure if it’s something going on around him or the way the game was going. He looked really fired up so maybe it was just a little frustration, let’s hope that doesn’t carry over to Freiburg.

Substitutes

Donyell Malen

Paul: 5

Started lively when he came off the bench, but didn’t really get into the game. Not quite on the same wavelength as his strike partner, but I’m sure that will come.

Mike: 5

Mario Pasalic

N/A

Marius Wolf

N/A

Reinier

N/A

Overall

Paul: 6

We gave it a bit of a go, but the patchwork backline made it a real uphill struggle. The midfield was too wasteful in possession in the first half, but improved in the second half. Luckily it wasn’t an especially important game. Lets hope we’re in a better state when the next one comes around!

Mike: 6

Was very hopeful going into this match but in hindsight I don’t see how we can beat a team like Bayern with this type of lineup. No excuses, you have to go out and do what you can and the team played well in some phases in particular the pressing game and the midfield. It will be a really fun season watching this team run around, wreak havoc, and score goals. Hopefully, we will get healthy and have something else to lift instead of yesterday’s trophy.