An amazing match! Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen player ratings from Dailysports
No one expected such a powerful start to the match: 1-3 by the 20th minute!
Borussia Dortmund had not lost their first match of the calendar year for 20 years. Before this game, the odds were 1.59 for this tradition to continue. But it only took 20 minutes for that streak to end...
It’s impossible not to note how Dortmund dominated the match: 71% possession compared to Bayer 04’s 29%, and 685 passes versus 296. Yet, despite this dominance, Dortmund's attack rarely looked dangerous against Bayer’s defense. The hosts managed 12 shots, 5 on target, while the visitors had 7 shots, also with 5 on target.
Bayer 04’s best players:
- Patrik Schick
At the start of the season, Schick was seen as just a backup player. But in recent months, he has blossomed, scoring 12 goals before this match. With today’s game, he now has 14. The only disappointment was a missed opportunity for a hat-trick in the 60th minute, as his shot was too soft to trouble Kobel.
- Jonathan Tah and Nordi Mukiele
After scoring three goals, Bayer shifted to defense, ceded possession, and calmly managed the game. In these conditions, defenders played a crucial role. Tah and Mukiele stood out with 9 defensive actions for Mukiele and 8 for Tah, including 2 blocked shots.
- Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong contributed in all areas today. His stats included 2 shots, 2 key passes (one an assist), 2 successful dribbles, and 4 defensive actions. While none of these numbers are extraordinary individually, together they form a solid contribution to the team’s performance.
Bayer 04 player ratings:
- Andrich R. - 7
- Arthur - (played too little)
- Wirtz F. - 6
- Hrádecký L. - 6
- Grimaldo A. - 7
- Xhaka G. - 7
- Hincapié P. - 7
- Mukiele N. - 8
- Palacios E. - (played too little)
- Tah J. - 8
- Tapsoba E. - 7
- Tella P. - 6
- Terrier M. - 6
- Frimpong J. - 8
- Schick P. - 8
Borussia Dortmund’s best players:
- Yan Couto
Couto is known for his ability to work the full length of the flank. Today, he was Dortmund’s best defender with 6 defensive actions, 3 recoveries, and 3 clearances. He also contributed to the attack with 2 key passes and 2 successful crosses into the box.
- Julian Brandt
The hosts needed to attack, but overall, they took far fewer shots than necessary. Brandt, while only taking one shot himself, worked to create chances for his teammates. He recorded 2 key passes, 2 successful crosses into the opponent's box, and 10 passes into the final third.
- Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Bynoe-Gittens had the most touches in the opponent’s penalty area—7 (more than any Bayer player as well). Throughout the match, Borussia struggled to penetrate the box, and Jamie was the only player consistently finding ways in. He also capitalized on a mistake by Bayer’s defense to score a goal.
Borussia Dortmund player ratings:
- Adeyemi K. - 6
- Bayer M. - 6
- Bynoe-Gittens J. - 8
- Brandt J. - 7
- Guirassy S. - 7
- Duranville J. - 6
- Sabitzer M. - 6
- Cabar A. - 6
- Campbell C. - (played too little)
- Kobel G. - 6
- Couto Y. - 7
- Lürs J. - 6
- Malen D. - 6
- Nmecha F. - 7
- Reyna G. - 6
- Ryerson J. - 6
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
