Raphael Guerreiro was the only positive as Borussia Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw by TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund lose further ground in the league table following 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim. The result continues their disappointing run of form under Edin Terzic, with the interim coach’s future now under heavy scrutiny after once again failing to secure all three points in the Bundesliga.
It was a disappointing performance from Dortmund from every stretch of the imagination, especially in the defensive department as they made three defensive errors within the first 30 minutes of the game. Fortunately for them, only one of them led to a goal by Munas Dabbur that cancelled out Jadon Sancho’s opener in the 24th minute.
The frantic first-half saw Hoffenheim take too many risks, which resulted in clear cut scoring opportunities for both teams. The away side continued on that method in the second half and were rewarded with an early goal through Ihlas Bebou. The goal allowed TSG to adopt a more conservative approach as they were happy to contain the pressure from the Dortmund attackers.
The Black and Yellows were lucky to find the equaliser through Erling Haaland in the 81st minute but couldn’t manage to score the winning goal and complete a late comeback. Here, at the Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Dortmund side in their poor performance against Hoffenheim this weekend.
Marwin Hitz: 6/10
Marwin Hitz made a couple of decent saves in the first half, but was hugely let down by the poor defensive support by his teammates for the most part. It was a decent enough effort from the Swiss international in between the sticks, although he couldn’t do much to deny Bebou from scoring the second goal early in the second half.
Emre Can: 6/10
Emre Can operated in the right-back slot ahead of Mateu Morey once again, and the move didn’t pay off for Terzic this time either. Although the defender offered excellent ball-progression out from the back, he was sloppy in defence, struggling to cope with Hoffenheim’s pressure. He also struggled to influence the game in the final third.
Manuel Akanji: 4/10
Manuel Akanji produced an awful defensive display at the heart of the Borussia Dortmund backline. He contributed to two of the defensive errors in the first 30 minutes of the game and was largely incompetent in dealing with the threat of Dabbur. Had a much more comfortable end to the proceedings as TSG opted for a defensive approach.
#BVB legend Kevin Großkreutz taking to Sky at half-time:
?️ "Dortmund aren't at all secure at the back. Individual errors from Akanji and Hummels and if Hoffenheim had taken their chances, they'd be ahead."
Agree with Kevin?#BVBTSG #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/ht0GmuywUm
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) February 13, 2021
Mats Hummels: 6/10
Mats Hummels delivered some exquisite defending, at times, neutralising the threat with his trademark tackles. But those occasional moments of brilliance were followed by numerous nervy encounters with attackers. He also had major difficulties keeping up with the pace of Bebou in defence. Needs to improve.
Raphael Guerreiro: 7.5/10
Raphael Guerreiro had a relatively much better game when compared to his defensive teammates. It is, however, fair to point out that the Portuguese international barely played as a left-back and marauded forward whenever he saw fit. Offered the pace that opened up the Hoffenheim defence on the counter, ultimately registering the assist for the Sancho goal.
Jude Bellingham: 6.5/10
Jude Bellingham’s aggression and desire to win the ball was inspiring to say at the least. However, the youngster desperately needs to improve on his temperament and overall decision making in the final third. He was also dispossessed quite easily way too many times, so there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Bellingham is a good player, man. He's just 17-years old but has all the basic principles down for being a centre midfielder. I'm not focusing on everything here but in particular he shows for the ball so well especially when his teammates are in trouble. I like that a lot.
— UtdArena (@utdarena) February 13, 2021
Thomas Delaney: 6/10
Thomas Delaney showcased some excellent tackles, at times, but was largely ineffective when it came to helping Borussia Dortmund dominant the game in the middle of the park. He was taken off around the hour mark as Terzic opted for more assurance in possession by bringing on Dahoud.
Jadon Sancho: 7/10
Jadon Sancho had a mixed game against Hoffenheim. The Englishman looked like a menace on the counter and made good use of Hoffenheim’s high-risk pressing, even scoring the opener. At the same time, he was largely anonymous even when Dortmund were dominating the possession.
Giovanni Reyna: 6.5/10
It was refreshing to see Giovanni Reyna finally operate in his preferred central attacking midfield role. He evidently looked much more expressive on the ball and had more to offer. Unfortunately, he was defended well by the Hoffenheim defenders, as the youngster eventually made way for Reus.
Julian Brandt: 6/10
Starting ahead of Marco Reus in the wide attacking role, Julian Brandt once again struggled to influence the game in the final third. He kept losing possession whenever he had the ball and was taken off around the hour mark, to no one’s surprise. The German’s rapid fall from grace continues.
Erling Haaland: 7/10
Erling Haaland once again had difficulties imposing his authority in the opposition defence. However, his electric pace, combined with a burst of physicality made him a handful for the Hoffenheim defenders. The Norwegian also broke his mini duck by scoring the equaliser in the final stage of the game, although he was unable to find the winner.
Just looking back at the Haaland goal. This is about 8 seconds after the injury. Hoffenheim could have easily put it out, but instead passed it Haaland who apparently was then supposed to put it out. pic.twitter.com/05fNklmOOw
— Adam Darowski (@fussballtwit) February 13, 2021
Substitutes
Marco Reus: 6.5/10
Replaced Reyna around the hour mark to add more work-ethic in the first line of press. The club captain impressed with his neat touches and brilliant link-up play with his teammates. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to inspire a late comeback.
Youssoufa Moukoko: 6/10
Youssoufa Mouoko was brought on to provide the dynamism that was missing the Dortmund attack. The youngster, though, couldn’t replicate his cameo from last matches.
Mahmoud Dahoud: 6/10
Offered a few decent balls forward after coming on for Delaney around the hour mark. Assured in possession.
Nico Schulz: 6/10
Replaced Bellingham during the final phase of the game, in what was a bizarre substitution by Edin Terzic.
