Match Ratings: Borussia Dortmund Unconvincing in 4-2 Comeback Win Against VfL Bochum

Borussia Dortmund haven’t had the best of luck against local rivals VfL Bochum in recent years. In the last three seasons, BVB have won two

drawn three, and lost one against Bochum in the Bundesliga. So when they went 2-0 down in just over 20 minutes, it started to feel like Dortmund were in for (another) long night. Instead, Die Schwarzgelben looked within and found something resembling a semi-competent offense deep down inside themselves. They hit Bochum for four without return to win the game 4-2 and claim all three points against Bochum for the first time since 2021/22.

There were some positives to take away from the second half on Friday. BVB came away with the victory, but they were also the better team on balance, creating 2.8 xG to Bochum’s 1.2, though 0.79 of BVB’s xG came from Can’s penalty. Once they finally got going in the second half, they piled the pressure on their opponents, and it was the best they have looked so far this season. But it’s hard not to focus on the negatives, especially in the context of a stuttering (to put it politely) start to the season. BVB have got a lot of work to do to implement a coherent system on both sides of the ball, and the unforced errors need to be addressed because there are only so many times you can hope to be able to dig yourself out of the deep holes Dortmund have found themselves in lately.

Still, three points is three points. That’s something, I guess? Here are our ratings from Friday night’s 4-2 win against VfL Bochum.

Starting XI

Gregor Kobel

Paul: 4

An uncharacteristically poor performance from Kobel. He couldn’t do much about the first goal, but he gifted Bochum their second and looked a little shaky for the remainder of the game.

Anders: 3

Kobel is a world-class keeper because he often controls risky situations and finds the right solutions with his feet. He got a bit too cocky on Friday, and it resulted in BVB going 2-0 down.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Paul: 4

Schlotterbeck didn’t have a brilliant game (the fact it was a marked improvement on his previous outing tells you where we are right now). The highlight of Schlotterbeck’s difficult evening was an abysmal looping pass right into Gregor Kobel’s feet, which set Dortmund’s goalkeeper up to gift Bochum their second of the night.

Anders: 4

Schlotterbeck hasn’t quite found the mojo in the partnership with Anton. He got caught out multiple times with his center-back partner, and his backpass to Kobel was horrific (although Kobel didn’t help himself afterward). Hopefully, the two of them will learn to read the game (and each other) better as the season moves on.

Waldemar Anton

Paul: 3

For Bochum’s first goal, Anton stepped out of the defensive line to close down Philipp Hofmann, only to be beaten easily. It set off a sequence of events that involved several BVB defenders making life far too easy for Bochum. Besides his part in Bochum’s first goal, Anton was at fault for almost handing Dortmund’s local rivals a third, and he was a central figure in BVB’s struggles in the first half.

Anders: 3

It was an abysmal performance by Anton, who made multiple missteps throughout the game. I like the natural aggressiveness in his actions, but he’s clearly (currently) lacking the timing that made a player like Mats Hummels an elite defender. Despite his latest performances, I still rate Anton, but it will be a tough battle against Niklas Süle for the starting spot.

Julian Ryerson

Paul: 6

Anders: 5

Yan Couto

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

I especially liked what I saw from Couto in the buildup, though he was largely absent in defense. I think Couto will be instrumental against “lesser teams” in the future.

Pascal Groß

Paul: 7

Groß was consistently Dortmund’s most active player in possession, and he was vital in both the buildup and the final third. He was also busy on the other side of the ball in the first half, but he could have done with a little more help.

Anders: 7

I’m close to convinced that Groß can never have a bad game. He always seems to know what to do with the ball before he receives it. In a stream of mediocre performances so far this season, Groß has been a constant.

Emre Can

Paul: 6

Anders: 6

I don’t know if it was Sahin’s instructions, but Can seemed to be looking for the forward pass much more often on Friday. He frequently kills the tempo of BVB’s offense, but on Friday night, he moved the ball much faster. His penalty was also well-taken.

Julian Brandt

Paul: 6

Brandt’s cross for Guirassy’s first was excellent, and he was a little unlucky not to score one of his own earlier in the game. Still, Brandt struggled to affect the game, though he was still a key source of ball progression and chance creation.

Anders: 6

Karim Adeyemi

Paul: 7

Anders: 7

I think Adeyemi is BVB’s most interesting player. I can’t figure out what he’s actually good at. His technique is shaky, his decision-making in the final third suspect, and I wouldn’t consider him a world-class finisher or duelist. He managed two assists yesterday; I was particularly impressed by his pass to Guirassy. Let’s hope he can continue his excellent form!

Jamie Gittens

Paul: 5

Gittens had a couple of bright moments in the first half but otherwise struggled to get into the game, limping off just after the hour after picking up a knock.

Anders: 5

What rating should winning lots of corners get you? Gittens had no problem beating his man, but with Bochum sat so deep, his low crosses were easy for them to defend. I think he needs to broaden his offensive repertoire a bit more.

Serhou Guirassy

Paul: 9

When you score two goals, you get a good rating, but even if you are a Very Serious Football Intellectual, unlike the goal-obsessed plebs, Guirassy still had an excellent night. He made himself a consistent outlet in the buildup, receiving nine progressive passes (in addition to adding one of his own progressive passes and two progressive carries), and he was the focal point in and around the goal, taking nine touches in the penalty area. While Guirassy’s value in the buildup is excellent, his goal threat is what BVB paid for. He contributed 1.1 expected goals (plus 0.1 expected assisted goals) from six shots, added four shot-creating actions, and won the penalty that drew Dortmund level. It was just a good performance. And he scored two goals, don’t overthink it.

Anders: 9

Even if Guirassy hadn’t drawn a pen or scored two goals, I still think this would have been a 5 or 6 at least. He’s exceptionally good at dropping deep and helping expedite the ball up the field. Throughout yesterday’s match, he acted as a reliable play-station for defenders, midfielders, and attackers alike. On top of this, he manages to get into many dangerous positions, and he should arguably have had a hattrick after the final whistle. I think a massive chunk of BVB’s success against Bochum can be attributed to Guirassy simply being very good. Honestly, I wasn’t 100 % sold on his transfer because of his track record, but he’s proving me wrong, and I’m all for it.

Substitutes

Julien Duranville

Paul: 7

Anders: 7

I understand Sahin’s reasons for being careful with Duranville, but I want to see him play as many minutes as possible. He’s so fun to watch.

Ramy Bensebaini

Paul: 5

Anders: 5

Felix Nmecha

Paul: 7

Anders: 6

You miss 100 % of the shots you don’t take.

Maximilian Beier

Paul: 6

Anders: 5

The score is more a reflection of his limited time on field, but I really do like his attitude. Such a hard worker off the ball.

Niklas Süle

N/A

Overall

Paul: 6

The abysmal first half probably deserves no more than a three, but Dortmund’s improvements after the break may have been worth as much as an eight. I will split it down the middle and (generously) round up to a six. It wasn’t perfect, but Dortmund were genuinely dominant in the second half, and they looked much more coherent in possession than in most games this season. Still, you can’t get away from the fact that they spent the first half gifting Bochum chance after chance to put this game out of Dortmund’s reach.

BVB should not be finding themselves in a six-goal slugfest against relegation candidates. I have no idea what to expect against Celtic on Tuesday.

Anders: 6

Even though I really want to, I can’t dish out more than six. Something’s wrong when you concede two easy goals against a struggling Bochum side at home. BVB look too vulnerable in defense, which will cost them in the long run.

Even though Sahin’s men deservedly won in the end, there is no doubt that the team can do better. Let’s hope it already starts against Celtic in the coming week!

Your Thoughts

What did you make of Borussia Dortmund’s rollercoaster win against Bochum? Let us know in the comments.