Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Jordan Torunarigha
Player Profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 07/08/97
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Chemnitzer FC (Y), Hertha Berlin
- Position: Centre Half
- Secondary position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Torunarigha, who is 6’3, had a very tough challenge against 6’6 Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst but rose to it, dominating aerially and making several key interceptions to thwart attacks. He was rewarded for his fine display when he scored the equaliser with a powerful header from a corner in the 74th minute. He was composed on the ball and assured in his passing, showing a good turn of pace at times with long strides allowing him to cover a lot of ground.
He showed an impressive combination of defensive awareness and physical ability to read the game well, reacting quickly to get in front of attacking players before they could receive the ball. Such is his dominance in the air that he was given a free role for opposition corners whilst others marked the attacking players, allowing him to track the flight of the ball and rise high to head clear on multiple occasions.
He did allow a cross to bounce past him and all the way into the back of the net for Wolfsburg’s goal, although in his defence it should have been cut out by Stark in front of him so it would be harsh to blame him for that. He received a harsh booking in the first-half but maintained his discipline and hardly put a foot wrong, at just 22 he appeared to be a real leader at the back for Hertha.
Rating: A1
The best player on the pitch and a real rock at the back, performances like that indicate he is ready to make the step up to a team chasing European football.
Dodi Lukebakio
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Belgian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 24/09/97
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Anderlecht, Toulouse (L), Charleroi (L), Watford, Fortuna Dusseldorf (L), Hertha Berlin
- Position: Right winger
- Secondary position: Striker
- Preferred foot: Left
Lukebakio, starting up front, frustrated at times but showed glimpses of real quality and scored the winner in the final minute with a clever header over the goalkeeper. He was very effective when collecting the ball with his back to goal, able to use his strength to hold off defenders and bring others into play. He did not see a lot of the ball in the first half as Hertha’s reactive, counter-attacking style of play often left him isolated up front.
His body language was poor at times, Hertha do not play with a high press but there were multiple occasions where he was seen strolling around while teammates worked hard around him. He does, however, have the potential to burst into life and delivered a great cross for Marius Wolf who managed to miss the target from yards out. Lukebakio was himself denied from a similar distance when he got on the end of a cross in the penalty area but his off-balance shot hit goalkeeper Koen Casteels and went over the bar.
Strikers are, largely, judged on goals and he showed good attacking movement to follow up a loose ball in the box and flick a header into the back of the net. His work rate was questionable but he made the most important contribution of the game and earned his side 3 points.
Rating: A2
Undoubtedly a talented player as the team looked to him to make something happen, would thrive in an attack-minded team where the play flows through him.
Javairo Dilrosun
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 22/07/98
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Ajax (Y), Manchester City (Y), Hertha Berlin
- Position: Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
Dilrosun worked hard down the left-hand side, using his pace and dribbling ability to run at defenders and cause problems. He is still something of a raw talent, his final ball was not good enough at times and he lacked composure when firing high over the bar from a cut back to the edge of the box.
He impressed on the defensive side though, tracking his runners and making a couple of important interceptions to help out the defense. His direct style was an important outlet for the counter-attack and he was hard to stop when in full flow, switching from the left to the right side a few times to try and unsettle the full-backs. He had a good game and before being substituted in the 75th minute.
Rating: B2
Young and still improving but is a talented player and a great outlet for this Hertha team.
Target Scouting 