Borussia Dortmund registered a routine 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to kick off their Bundesliga 2022/23 campaign.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are two clubs that are expected to fight it out for the second spot in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season if they fail in their bid to win the title. A win at the Westfalenstadion would have been worth six points in the larger scheme of things.
Marco Reus opened the scoring in just the ninth minute from Borussia Dortmund’s first real opportunity of the game. It first appeared that Karim Adeyemi had scored the goal, but it was the captain who got the final touch before the ball rolled over the line.
Both the teams tried but could not add to Reus’s goal as the match finished 1-0 in Borussia Dortmund’s favour. Here we take a look at how each player from the Edin Terzic’s side fared in the narrow win over Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.
Starting off with a W!!! ⏹ pic.twitter.com/CmUbkJATCp
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 6, 2022
Gregor Kobel: 6/10
Kobel played a crucial role in helping his side keep a clean sheet. He made three saves in total, including a punch. A solid night from the Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper.
Thomas Meunier: 6/10
The Belgian right-back bombed up and down the pitch, and contributed on both ends of the pitch. Meunier attempted a cross and two long balls but both failed to find a teammate. Defensively, he made five clearances and four tackles.
Mats Hummels: 7/10
The veteran defender was solid at the back in the absence of new signing Niklas Sule. Hummels gave a good account of himself, making four clearances, two interceptions and also blocking a shot.
Nico Schlotterbeck: 7/10
The new Borussia Dortmund singing shone on his league debut for the club. Schlotterbeck made as many as five clearances, one interception and three tackles. While Hummels held his position, Schlotterbeck roamed forward with the ball on occasions.
Raphael Guerreiro: 7/10
Guerreiro was busy at both ends of the pitch to make sure Dortmund emerged 1-0 winners from the match. He attempted a shot on goal and played four long balls and a cross. Defensively, he made two clearances, two interceptions and three tackles. He was taken off for Marius Wolf in the 84th minute.
Mahmoud Dahoud: 7/10
Auftaktsieg! Good fight!?? @BVB pic.twitter.com/QfgmsKERve
— Mahmoud Dahoud (@modahoud8) August 6, 2022
Dahoud popped up all over the pitch and was quite busy throughout the match. He won six of his eight ground duels and completed three of his seven long balls. He also made two interceptions and five tackles to cap off an all-round performance.
Marco Reus: 8/10
The Borussia Dortmund captain started the new campaign in fine fashion, scoring the only goal of the match. He will want to continue in a similar vein as the season progresses to help his side try and topple Bayern Munich from the top.
Jude Bellingham: 8/10
The highly-rated English midfielder showed exactly why he is being courted by so many clubs across Europe. Bellingham played two key passes, completed two long balls, and took three shots as well. The England international also completed four dribbles.
Goal given to Marco!! IT'S STILL INNNNN!!! https://t.co/7jyE25TGtZ
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 6, 2022
Karim Adeyemi: 6/10
Adeyemi was taken off 23 minutes into his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund after picking up a knock. He appeared to have scored Dortmund’s opening goal, but it was Reus who got the final touch. Thorgan Hazard took his place.
Youssoufa Moukoko: 7/10
It was his cross that eventually led to Reus scoring the opener in the ninth minute. However, he could not take any shots on the goal to help increase his team’s lead. Moukoko was taken off for Julian Brandt in the 69th minute.
Donyell Malen: 7/10
Malen impressed yet again with his close control of the ball. He was involved in quite a few of Borussia Dortmund’s attacks, playing three key passes. He was taken off for Emre Can in the 84th minute.
SUBSTITUTES
Thorgan Hazard: 6/10
Hazard came on for Adeyemi in the 23rd minute and was quite lively initially. He played a key pass and also took two shots on goal. However, he missed a big chance to increase Dortmund’s lead.
Julian Brandt: 5/10
Brandt came on for Moukoko but was not involved enough, making just 15 touches of the ball in a little over 20 minutes.
Emre Can: N/A
Can came on for Malen in the 84th minute but did not do enough to warrant a rating.
Marius Wolf: N/A
Wolf came on for Raphael Guerreiro in the 84th minute and managed just six touches of the ball.
