Borussia Dortmund performed the position of underdog as soon as once more this season as they hosted Bayer Leverkusen on the Westfalenstadion. A uninteresting first half, sturdy last-ditch defending, and a Niclas Füllkrug purpose towards the run of play noticed Dortmund enter the final seconds of this match with a purpose benefit. Leverkusen’s Stanisic rose above Dortmund’s protection within the 97th minute and sealed a tie for the guests.

Here are our rankings from Borussia Dortmund’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen:

Starting XI

Gregor Kobel

Paul: 7

Anders: 7

Aside from a couple of routine saves, Kobel got here up huge, particularly on Grimaldo’s free-kick late on and Nathan Tella’s effort within the 68th minute. Maybe a bit too daring for my style towards urgent facet like Leverkusen, however I can’t complain when it really works out.

Yash: 8

Two glorious saves, and I can’t fault him for the purpose we did concede.

Julian Ryerson

Paul: 7

Anders: 7

Yash: 8

Our Norwegian machine rendered Leverkusen’s flying wing-backs non-factors.

Mats Hummels

Photo by ANP through Getty Images

Paul: 8

Anders: 7

Yash: 8

Commanding.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Paul: 7

Anders: 7

A variety of good work from Schlotti immediately. I like how he seemingly drove Frimpong loopy, too. Our German centerpiece is on trajectory for the time being.

Yash: 8

Schlotti has gone a couple of video games with out dropping his focus and making an unforced error. Looked strong immediately, and will get a bonus level for winding Frimpong up all recreation.

Ian Maatsen

Paul: 5

Anders: 5

Yash: 5

Emre Can

Paul: 4

I believed Can obtained caught out in possession a few occasions and was, every so often, the weak hyperlink within the group.

Anders: 4

I believe Can was fortunate to flee with no card for stomping Frimpong’s leg after half-hour of play. He then obtained a yellow for complaining to the referee simply earlier than halftime.

Yash: 5

Emre was largely good, however the yellow was pointless, and he was lucky to not give away a harmful free-kick early on.

Marcel Sabitzer

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

Whenever Dortmund performed by means of the center, Sabitzer was concerned. Against a facet like Leverkusen, it’s good to have a participant like Sabi, who can nearly at all times discover a approach to get out of difficult conditions, be it with a fast flip or a move.

Yash: 7

Great help, glorious general efficiency. He’s been very good because the flip of the 12 months.

Julian Brandt

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

Yash: 6

Not fairly nearly as good as he was towards Atletico within the midweek, however he appears to be steadily regaining his pre-injury type. Set up Sabi’s help with a intelligent flick.

Jadon Sancho

Paul: 6

Anders: 5

I believe Leverkusen did properly in maintaining each Sancho and JBG in verify. I personally assume Sancho was the higher of the 2, however solely as a result of he might stand on the ball, permitting his teammates to get into extra favorable positions.

Yash: 3

Largely invisible immediately. I’d agree with Anders that he was the marginally higher of the 2 wingers, primarily resulting from his potential to retain the ball in tight areas.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens

Paul: 5

Bynoe-Gittens struggled to get into the sport, which additionally owed to BVB’s cautious method.

Anders: 5

Yash: 2

I can’t fault his dedication, however his poor decision-making allow us to down time and time once more. He additionally confirmed minimal positional self-discipline, unnecessarily coming inside and crowding the inventive gamers. He didn’t hit the heights immediately.

Niclas Füllkrug

Photo by Federico Gambarini/image alliance through Getty Images

Paul: 6

I deliberate on giving Füllkrug a 5 as a result of he was fairly quiet all through the sport, however the purpose was price an additional level!

Anders: 6

Yash: 7

He will get a degree for the purpose however was quiet in any other case. He was handed a tricky project due to his remoted place.

Substitutes

Marius Wolf

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

I had completely no subject with what Wolf confirmed immediately. He had an excellent final 45 minutes after being subbed in for Maatsen.

Yash: 6

Marco Reus

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

Yash: 6

Felix Nmecha

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

I used to be having fun with Nmecha. That was till that one horrible again move that just about price Dortmund a purpose.

Yash: 6

Salih Özcan

N/A

Julien Duranville

N/A

Overall

Paul: 7

It was a strong efficiency towards a greater facet. I don’t assume it was excellent, however I’m undecided BVB had a lot selection however to take this method. The last-minute Leverkusen purpose is irritating, however a draw was in all probability the proper outcome.

Anders: 7

I’ve extra good than unhealthy to say about this recreation. Keeping Leverkusen to an xG of 1.01 isn’t one thing many groups have accomplished this season. I particularly preferred the primary 10 minutes after the break, the place the group grew to become extra proactive on the offensive finish. I might have preferred to see extra of that within the first 45 as a result of we are able to play good offensive soccer, as seen towards Atletico within the midweek. How Dortmund dropped factors is irritating, however drawing two occasions with this Leverkusen facet this season isn’t too unhealthy.

Yash: 7

To concede with virtually the sport’s final motion is disappointing, however upon reflection, the draw might be a good illustration of how the sport went. We’ve continued this theme of displaying up in video games the place the percentages closely favour the opposition, displaying little or no of the “mentality issues” which have plagued the group during the last decade. Terzic units his group up properly for these types of video games, as, regardless of the obvious distinction in high quality between the 2 squads from a top quality perspective, there was nearly nothing to separate them on the pitch. I used to be significantly impressed with our defensive form and the collective spirit that noticed the entire defensive unit present glorious cowl for each other. Not a nasty efficiency in any respect, although, towards presumably essentially the most spectacular group in Europe this season.

Your Thoughts?

Who was Dortmund’s finest participant of their 1-1 draw towards Leverkusen? Let us know what you assume under!