Mahmoud Dahoud’s last-minute strike helped Borussia Dortmund secure a famous comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Borussia Dortmund left it late to secure an extraordinary 3-2 comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. The three points help them bridge the gap at the top to six points after Bayern Munich had slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.
It was an exhausting game for Dortmund, who started the contest on the front foot. Thomas Meunier was inches away from finding the back of the net within the first few minutes. But after a period of dominance, the visitors soon started to lose their grip on the proceedings, especially after an unexpected set-piece goal from Rafael Santos Borre in the 15th minute.
The Colombian international scored his second in the 24th minute, helping Eintracht tighten their hold over their opposition. In response, Dortmund looked clueless, struggling to put together any attacking momentum. Their body language also looked off for the majority of the game until a 70th-minute strike from substitute Thorgan Hazard.
The Belgian’s goal revitalised the away side, who started to ask more questions in the final twenty minutes. Their pressure paid off when Jude Bellingham latched on to Meunier’s cross to score the equaliser in the 87th minute. And just when it seemed the game was heading for a stalemate, Mahmoud Dahoud produced a moment of magic to put the ball past Kevin Trapp from outside the box in the 89th minute.
Dahoud’s curling effort was enough to seal all three points for his team, and here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Borussia Dortmund players in their comeback victory over Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.
Gregor Kobel: 6/10
Gregor Kobel may have done a little better to keep out the first goal from Borre, though the effort was made from very close range. He was left helpless for the second goal, but the Dortmund goalkeeper wasn’t called into action much in the second half. His performances have dipped, to an extent, after an incredible start to his career at BVB.
Thomas Meunier: 6.5/10
Thomas Meunier was one of the most underwhelming performers for Dortmund. He gave away possession way too cheaply in the first half, with one of the conceded turnovers even leading to Eintracht’s second goal. Meunier wasn’t much help in the build-up play either, although he made amends by putting together an exceptional cross for Bellingham’s equaliser.
Meunier almost settled Puskas after 80 seconds ?
— Lars Pollmann (@LarsPollmann) January 8, 2022
Emre Can: 5.5/10
Operating at centre-back in the absence of Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou, Emre Can was rattled by Rafael Santos Borre. The former Liverpool midfielder had difficulties keeping up with the Colombian’s intelligent movement, thus allowing Frankfurt the opportunity to dominate the proceedings, especially in the first half.
Mats Hummels: 6.5/10
Mats Hummels could not marshall the Dortmund defence well enough to keep Frankfurt at bay. That said, he made a few exquisite forward passes. His technical prowess and ability on the ball remain unquestioned, but the veteran has lost his shine on the defensive side of things.
Raphael Guerreiro: 6.5/10
Raphael Guerreiro’s return to the side was a massive boost for Marco Rose’s men. Although the Portuguese international started the game slowly, he offered crucial creative output in the second half. The left-back linked up well with teammates out wide, constantly establishing himself as a reliable passing option in the final third. He delivered two key passes in the game.
Julian Brandt: 5/10
Julian Brandt lacked the fuel and energy to make any kind of difference in the proceedings. He was quite lacklustre in possession as well, often finding himself rattled by Eintracht’s intense press. He was subbed off shortly after the hour mark, a substitution that changed the complexion of the match.
Mahmoud Dahoud: 8/10
Mahmoud Dahoud was undisputedly the best performer for Borussia Dortmund in this contest. Even when the visitors were struggling, Dahoud established himself as a reliable number six by winning multiple balls and rotating possession quite well. He capped off his display with a majestic curled effort that left Trapp without a chance in the Frankfurt goal.
Bellingham x Dahoud pivot is seriously underrated. pic.twitter.com/NG0TLXurwL
— ?? ? (@Fs_BVB) January 8, 2022
Jude Bellingham: 7/10
There was no shortage of commitment in Jude Bellingham’s performance on the night. His box to box ability served as a major boost for a Dortmund side that were struggling to penetrate Frankfurt’s second line of press. Bellingham’s ability to drift past defenders using his quick feet was also useful, although the Englishman’s most notable involvement came late in the game when he latched on to Meunier’s cross to level the scoreline.
Donyell Malen: 6.5/10
It was a mixed game for Donyell Malen. The explosive winger tried to utilise his pace to cause problems for the Frankfurt defenders. His dribbles were very effective as well, but the Dutchman’s decision-making remains an issue. It was a largely impressive display nonetheless, as Malen continues to settle into the rigours of the German top flight.
Erling Haaland: 7/10
Erling Haaland lacked the aggression and commitment that made life difficult for the Bundesliga defenders over the past couple of years. However, the Norwegian was a spark in the Dortmund attack due to his sheer physicality. He also registered a crucial assist for Hazard’s first goal and looked fired up during the final phase of the game.
Dortmund have won a Bundesliga match after trailing by two or more goals for the first time in almost two years, having previously done so in January 2020 in their 5-3 win over Augsburg when Haaland scored a hat-trick in his debut. pic.twitter.com/WF5eN1Xh5C
— aritra roy (@aritrabvb1909) January 8, 2022
Marco Reus: 6.5/10
Marco Reus was Dortmund’s primary ball-carrier, using his silky footwork to evade the Frankfurt press on multiple occasions. He wasn’t directly involved in any of the goals, but his valiant shift in the number ten role was critical in helping the Black and Yellows sustain the pressure on the opposition.
Substitutes
Thorgan Hazard: 7.5/10
Thorgan Hazard’s substitution and his subsequent goal kickstarted Dortmund’s comeback in the second half. The Belgian’s thrust and energy in the final third offered the opposition a fresh challenge that was simply too hot the handle.
Axel Witsel: N/A
A late replacement for Reus. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
