Jude Bellingham dropped a top performance as Borussia Dortmund sealed a 2-1 win over Hertha Berlin in Erling Haaland’s farewell game.
Borussia Dortmund ended their 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign on a positive note by securing a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. The three points might have been insignificant for the Bundesliga giants, but it helped relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart make a stunning turnaround and leapfrog Hertha to secure Bundesliga survival in the final minutes of the game.
Heading into this affair needing only a draw, Hertha predictably employed a defensive approach, with Felix Magath’s men offering no real space in the defensive unit. They made life difficult for the Dortmund attackers, who themselves were looking rather pedestrian and lacked the creativity.
Hertha were rewarded for their defensive solidity when a counter-attack led to a penalty that was conceded by Dan-Axel Zagadou. While the penalty was instantly waved away by the assistants due to offside, VAR later deemed otherwise, allowing Ishak Belfodil to score a crucial opener.
Dortmund failed to show any real ambition to get back into the game, with most of their attackers looking rather uninspired. But an improved second half display eventually saw them level the scoreline in the 68th minute thanks to Erling Haaland, who made no mistake converting a penalty that was conceded by Marvin Plattenhardt.
Dortmund pushed for the winner shortly after the equaliser, with substitute Youssoufa Moukoko making a timely impact to score from the bench in the 84th minute. Despite conceding the second goal, Hertha were safe until the final minutes of the game when Stuttgart managed to grab a late winner against 1.FC Koln.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Borussia Dortmund players in their narrow win over the capital club this weekend.
STUTTGART SCORE A 92ND MINUTE WINNER TO STAY IN THE BUNDESLIGA!!! ? pic.twitter.com/MSCfun2LSg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022
Roman Burki: 6.5/10
Roman Burki was handed a rare starting opportunity in his last game for Borussia Dortmund. He made a couple of good stops in the first half but didn’t have much to do after the interval. The Swiss goalkeeper is now set to join MLS outfit St. Louis City this summer and begin a new adventure in the USA.
Emre Can: 6/10
Emre Can was handed a start in the right sided centre-back position. However, with Dortmund lacking the numbers offensively, the midfielder was subbed off at half-time. Can didn’t commit any defensive errors while he was on the pitch and looked quite neat and tidy.
Manuel Akanji: 6/10
Manuel Akanji played Belfodil onside in the lead up to Hertha’s penalty. Apart from that, the centre-back did well to win most aerial duels, although the former FC Basel starlet could have done much better in the physical duels. A decent outing, in what could be his last game for Borussia Dortmund.
Dan-Axel Zagadou: 5/10
Another player who was playing his last game for Borussia Dortmund, Dan-Axel Zagadou conceded the penalty that led to Hertha’s opener. He wasn’t very proactive as ever and to make things worse, he picked up a hamstring injury in the second half. Zagadou’s contract won’t be extended by Dortmund and he is set to become a free agent in the summer.
Man, I'm feeling sorry for Zagadou. Caused a penalty and ends his BVB career with an injury.
He had so much promise but just couldn't unlock it. Best of luck in the future! #BVBBSC
— Stefan Buczko (@StefanBuczko) May 14, 2022
Marius Wolf: 6.5/10
Marius Wolf might not have made the desired impact in the right wing-back position. But he poured his heart out in his performance against Hertha Berlin, trying his best to offer width and support to the attackers in the final third. He will be a vital component in the Dortmund setup next season.
Axel Witsel: 7/10
In his farewell match for Borussia Dortmund, Axel Wiesel looked in control of the game as ever. Especially in the second half, the Belgian’s experience and leadership went a long way in helping his team retain dominance over the proceedings. He looked emotional when taken off late in the game. Another great servant for BVB.
Jude Bellingham: 8/10
Jude Bellingham was one of the most impressive performers on the pitch. The youngster looked spirited as ever and offered quality on the ball and in his passes. He even delivered one of the assists of the season by feeding Moukoko with an exceptional through ball while constantly winning back possession for his team. He will be a real leader for Dortmund next season.
THIS BELLINGHAM ASSIST IS UNREALLL!!! pic.twitter.com/cLs0X2m0vR
— ?? ? (@Fs_BVB) May 14, 2022
Raphael Guerreiro: 7/10
Raphael Guerreiro thrived in his favoured left wing-back position. He moved forward at every opportunity and produced some killer crosses inside the box, with one of his attempts leading to the penalty in the second half. It remains to be seen if the Portuguese international departs Dortmund, having been linked with a move to Barcelona recently.
Julian Brandt: 6.5/10
Coming on the back of several exceptional performances, Julian Brandt could not really make the desired impact against Hertha. He was bogged down by the opposition’s deep defensive line while his set-piece deliveries lacked the usual accuracy. However, the playmaker remains unplayable in certain instances, especially in tight spaces.
Marco Reus: 6.5/10
Marco Reus also failed to offer the impact in the final third but he, too, made quite an impression with his ability to rotate possession in tight spaces. The captain was equally vital in winning the ball back for his team and remains one of the most hard-working attackers in all of Europe.
Erling Haaland: 7/10
It was an emotional game for Erling Haaland, who received a rousing reception from the Borussia Dortmund fans. Determined to impress in his last game for the club, the Norwegian played his heart out and ran his socks off, eventually scoring a goal for his team and helping them gain a valuable three points. His tally for Dortmund stands at 86 goals in 89 matches.
It has been nothing but an honour to wear this shirt. At @BVB, I've spent memorable moments, met special people, not to mention a fanbase that has been always our extra man on the pitch. The Yellow Wall is truly incredible. I'll never forget any of this! Thank you all! ?? pic.twitter.com/MegplT4y7B
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) May 14, 2022
Substitutes
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens: 7.5/10
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens had a key role to play behind Dortmund’s improved second half performance. Although not always successful, the young winger’s pace and trickery made life difficult for the Hertha defence. He can be a great asset for Dortmund in the coming season.
Youssoufa Moukoko: N/A
Youssoufa Moukoko scored an exceptional goal shortly after coming on, making full use of Bellingham’s mesmerising pass from deep. His celebration was quite emotional as he hugged the departing sporting director and club legend Michael Zorc.
Bellingham puts it on a plate for 17 year old Moukoko ? pic.twitter.com/cOMoJKxj8Q
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022
Marin Pongracic: N/A
A late replacement for the injured Zagadou. Another player who will not done the BVB jersey next season.
Reinier Jesus: N/A
A late replacement for Haaland. The Brazilian is set to return to Santiago Bernabeu this summer following the end of his two-year loan spell in the Bundesliga.
