Dortmund came into this game full of confidence after beating SC Freiburg before the international break. However, the game was a very difficult one for Dortmund winning only 1-0, the players you’d have thought would make the difference didn’t have their best games. Dortmund however ended the game in 3rd place in the Bundesliga, level with Bayern and a point behind Leipzig.
Favre set his team out in a 1-3-4-3 formation with Julian Brandt leading the line and Sancho and Reyna on the wings. Sancho and Reyna were trying to create in the final third but it was clear they were missing that vocal point up top in Erling Haaland who started the game on the bench. Once Brandt, Reyna and Sancho started rotating and moving the defence around it started to open up spaces for the forwards to make runs into but they were either called for offside or the pass wasn’t played. The only player who was having any lucky putting balls in behind for the Dortmund forwards was Mats Hummels who was playing in the centre of the 3.
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, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Giovanni Reyna
Player Profile:
- Nationality: American
- Age: 17
- Date of Birth: 13/11/2002
- Club: Borussia Dortmund
- Career: NYCFC (Y), Borussia Dortmund
- Position: Left Wing
- Preferred Foot: Right
Reyna started the game off on the left of a forward 3 but this changed throughout the game as he rotated with Sancho and Brandt to open up gaps in the defence. Throughout the game he showed good awareness as he was always getting into space behind the opposition midfield however when he received the ball in these small spaces he was a bit easy to push off the ball and he lost possession a few times. He also showed good movement in the box, making a run to the front post and got his shot away but the attempt was well blocked by the defender.
When Reyna drifted over to the right he was picking up positions in the right half space and looking to run in behind however the ball wasn’t being played often, Emre Can and Dahoud tried a few times but they weren’t accurate passes. He also showed quick feet and good ball control when in possession and dribbling at defenders which helped him win a few fouls in good areas. He had a good opportunity to score when he went 1v1 and missed the first attempt as well as having his second attempt blocked by the defender on the line.
Rating – A2
Jadon Sancho
Player Profile:
- Nationality: English
- Age: 20
- Date of Birth: 25/09/2000
- Club: Borussia Dortmund
- Career: Manchester City (Y), Borussia Dortmund
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred Foot: Right
Sancho hasn’t been in the same form he ended last season with, but he was still a danger in this game. Roaming all over the field to receive the ball in spaces and link up play with his teammates and especially with Reyna and Brandt. When he was on the wide right position he would receive the ball and instantly run central to try and attract defenders out to him to open up space for runners and he would show his brilliant skill and ball control when he was pressed, beating a defender with a drop of the shoulder or a skill.
When the Dortmund defence had the ball Sancho would show his awareness and intelligence by dropping deep to bring the defender out of the oppositions shape and would then spin him and receive the ball over the top, most often from Mats Hummels, and he almost scored from this after he brought the ball down superbly and then had a shot after beating the defender with a brilliant skill but the shot wasn’t powerful enough. The 20 year old also showed brilliant vision when playing a nice ball in between the CB and the LB to Meunier who was making the overlap. He used his body well to protect the ball and was able to win fouls by doing this to allow his team a chance to restart the play.
Rating – A2
Target Scouting 