Borussia Dortmund snatched a victory from visitors Hoffenheim at the Westfalenstadion with a chaotic stoppage time goal, 3-2. Erling Haaland was a frustrated figure all match and looked to be blanked for a third game running. However, the Norwegian god of goals pounced on a ball into the box after both Marius Wolf and Youssoufa Moukoko saw their shots saved, but not Haaland’s.

It was a particularly physical affair, especially from Hoffenheim’s side, as they picked up three yellow cards in the first 20 minutes including one eight seconds into the match. Dortmund were able to control possession for most of the match but still have plenty of work to do over the international break, especially defensively. Here are the player ratings from the victory:

Starting XI

Gregor Kobel

Mike: 8

He continues to save the backline with his reading of the game, and he couldn’t do anything about the two goals. Had an excellent one-on-one save again as well.

Zac: 8.5

My man of the match. Kobel was assured at the back and kept his side alive all game.

Raphael Guerreiro

Mike: 5

Absolutely torched for Hoffenheim’s opening goal when he was sucked in toward the ball. Later on was put in a similar situation but was able to make a sliding challenge to keep Kobel from having to make a save.

Zac: 5

Manuel Akanji

Mike: 7

Zac: 7

I always think it is better when you do not really notice the center backs. Held his ground.

Axel Witsel

Mike: 5

Zac: 5.5

Witsel is doing his best in an unorthodox role, but he and Meunier were speaking two different languages at times.

Thomas Meunier

Mike: 6

Solid return for the Belgian who hopes to put COVID-19 and his 2020-21 season behind him. Meunier made some really strong runs down the right flank but was hesitant to cross the ball.

Zac: 5.5

Like Guerreiro, Meunier was also guilty of being torched on several occasions. He was lucky the Hoffenheim forwards were not delivering better crosses.

Mahmoud Dahoud

Mike: 6

Had some really nice passes early on but didn’t seem to be on the same page as his runners. Dahoud exchanged words with Reyna in particular after one of his delightful through balls went out for a goal kick.

Zac: 6

I imagine Rose sees Witsel and Can as his preferred players for the deep midfield berth, as Dahoud to me still seems better suited to the higher midfield positions. He was put under a lot of pressure and it showed.

Jude Bellingham

Mike: 8

Left-footed, self-controlled, half-volley that nutmegged a defender on the way to the back of the net. Oh yeah, there was also that moment on the right wing where he controlled the ball while spinning on the ground and somehow popped up to his feet without a defender to even put in a proper challenge, pure filth.

Zac: 7.5

Great goal and excellent composure to keep his cool in such a tempered game.

Gio Reyna

Mike: 7

If anyone ever cares to question his quality, just point to today’s goal. His calm, cool, and collected finish in traffic is precisely the stuff of special players.

Zac: 7.5

Marco Reus

Mike: 6

Reus was once again all over the pitch. He even deputized at center back during transitions, but was wasteful going forward.

Zac: 5.5

Donyell Malen

Mike: 7

Looked the more lively of the forwards in the attack but was not able to carve out a clear chance despite giving it his all. One could have worried about Malen given his poor performance last week, but today he showed some promise. Hopefully, he can come back from the international break with more confidence.

Zac: 7

Erling Haaland

Mike: 7

Nothing better than a stoppage time winner in front of the home crowd. Struggled all day to get a chance as Hoffenheim worked hard to mark him tight. Was constantly holding the ball up and trying to get others involved. Haaland had several headed clearances in Dortmund’s box as well.

Zac: 8.5

Haaland gets a bump from me because not every Dortmund side over the past two years has marched down the field after conceding to demand a win; the ball may have fallen to Haaland, but he hit it.

Subs

Julian Brandt

Mike: 6

Looked sharp and played some quick one-twos to progress the ball through the lines.

Zac: 6

Marius Wolf

Mike: 6

Zac: 6.5

I was very pleased by the shift Wolf put in at central midfield. He was committed in his challenges, solid on the ball, and had a few genuine chances to add to the scoreline.

Felix Passlack

N/A

Youssoufa Moukoko

N/A

Overall

Mike: 6

This was always going to be a difficult game, but it was also surprisingly physical. Hoffenheim have quality players and always seem to pull out great results against the top teams so Dortmund should be happy with a win. Hopefully, Marco Rose can use this International break to get healthy and fix some issues in both the attack and in the defense.

Zac: 7.5

Harsh Mike, we did win after all! No, this was not a vintage performance from the Black and Yellows, but with a very shaky record against Hoffenheim in recent seasons, a victory at home was a good marker to lay down. The team showed conviction to get back into the lead, and the energy from that win should hopefully carry through the international break. Hopefully one thing that will not carry through is the sad-pieces. Please, God, no more sad-pieces.