Borussia Dortmund v FC St. Pauli 1910
Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings from Unconvincing 2-1 Win Over St. Pauli.
Borussia Dortmund narrowly edged St. Pauli in a 2-1 victory, but the performance left much to be desired. Despite the win, the players struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in the face of St. Pauli’s high pressing. From Emre Can’s missteps in the number six role to Pascal Groß’s early injury, it was a night that highlighted weaknesses Dortmund will need to address.
In this article, we break down the player ratings from Borussia Dortmund’s unconvincing 2-1 win over St. Pauli, a game full of shaky performances and a few shining moments.
Emre Can (4/10)
Playing in the number six role, Can had a poor start to the game, gifting possession to St. Pauli in midfield, leading to a near-disastrous counter-attack. Throughout the match, Borussia Dortmund’s captain struggled under pressure, looking unsure on the ball whenever St. Pauli applied their pressing game.
Can’s giveaways in the middle of the park could have easily resulted in goals for the opposition, putting Dortmund on the back foot. His lacklustre performance eventually saw Nuri Sahin opt to take him off in the second half. This unconvincing display certainly raised questions about his reliability in such a crucial position for Borussia Dortmund.
Pascal Groß (6/10)
Pascal Groß’s performance in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over St. Pauli was far from his best. Despite not being able to exert his usual influence on the game, he did play a key role in setting up Dortmund’s opening goal.
Unfortunately, his impact was short-lived as he was taken off at half-time, seemingly due to an injury. Groß’s absence after the break was felt, as Borussia Dortmund lacked creativity in midfield. Still, his early contribution helped Dortmund secure the win, even if it wasn’t his most commanding display.
Marcel Sabitzer (5/10)
Marcel Sabitzer, fresh off an impressive international break with Austria, returned to Borussia Dortmund’s starting XI with high expectations. However, he struggled to make his mark on the left side of midfield during the first half. Sabitzer appeared out of sorts, unable to find space or assert his presence. After Pascal Groß was withdrawn at half-time, Sabitzer moved to a more central role, where he looked much more comfortable. While his second-half performance was an improvement, he failed to live up to his usual standards, leaving Borussia Dortmund fans hoping for more in future games.
Gregor Kobel (7/10)
In a match where Borussia Dortmund’s defence was shaky, Gregor Kobel stood tall between the posts. The goalkeeper made several crucial saves to deny St. Pauli and kept his team in the game when the defence faltered. His confident handling of crosses and sharp reflexes were key to Borussia Dortmund’s ability to hold onto their slender lead. Although the team’s overall performance was lacking, Kobel’s steady presence ensured that Dortmund walked away with the win. His performance in this unconvincing 2-1 win over St. Pauli was one of the few bright spots for Borussia Dortmund.
Mats Hummels (6/10)
Veteran defender Mats Hummels had an average outing in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over St. Pauli. While he was solid for the most part, there were moments when the pace of the game seemed to get the better of him. St. Pauli’s pressing and quick transitions caused some nervy moments for the Borussia Dortmund defence, and Hummels was no exception. However, his experience and positioning helped him recover in key situations, and he played a part in keeping the scoreline in Dortmund’s favour. It was an unconvincing performance, but Hummels did enough to avoid major criticism.
Nico Schlotterbeck (5/10)
Nico Schlotterbeck struggled in Borussia Dortmund’s defence during their narrow 2-1 win over St. Pauli. The centre-back looked uncomfortable dealing with St. Pauli’s attackers, particularly when they pressed high and forced mistakes. His passing out from the back was erratic, and he often found himself under pressure. While he didn’t make any glaring errors that led directly to goals, his overall performance left much to be desired. Borussia Dortmund will need Schlotterbeck to be more composed in future games if they hope to maintain their title challenge.
Julian Brandt (6/10)
Julian Brandt had a decent but unspectacular game in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over St. Pauli. Playing in an advanced role, Brandt tried to create chances for his teammates but found it difficult to break down St. Pauli’s well-organised defence. His set-piece deliveries were on point, contributing to the opening goal, but he wasn’t able to make the same impact in open play. Brandt’s creativity was stifled for large parts of the game, though he remained a constant threat with his movement and vision. Borussia Dortmund will be looking for more from their playmaker in upcoming matches.
Donyell Malen (7/10)
Donyell Malen was one of the more dynamic players for Borussia Dortmund in their unconvincing 2-1 win over St. Pauli. His pace and dribbling caused problems for the opposition defence, and he was involved in several of Dortmund’s best attacking moves. While Malen didn’t get on the scoresheet, his work rate and ability to stretch the defence opened up space for his teammates. Borussia Dortmund will be pleased with Malen’s contribution, even if the overall team performance was below par.
Sebastien Haller (6/10)
Sebastien Haller had a relatively quiet game in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over St. Pauli. The striker worked hard to hold up play and bring others into the attack, but he struggled to get on the end of any clear-cut chances. Haller’s physical presence was an asset, but he was often isolated, with St. Pauli’s defence doing well to limit his impact. Borussia Dortmund will be hoping for more from their forward in the games to come, as they need Haller firing on all cylinders to improve their attacking output.
Nuri Sahin (Manager – 6/10)
Nuri Sahin’s tactical decisions in Borussia Dortmund’s unconvincing 2-1 win over St. Pauli were a mixed bag. His side started the game poorly, with players like Emre Can struggling under St. Pauli’s pressing game. However, Sahin’s decision to switch Sabitzer to a central role in the second half helped stabilise the midfield. While Borussia Dortmund secured the win, Sahin will need to address the team’s sluggish start and defensive frailties. It was a hard-fought victory, but Borussia Dortmund will need to improve if they are to continue challenging at the top of the table.
Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over St. Pauli was far from convincing, with several players putting in below-par performances. Emre Can’s struggles in midfield, Pascal Groß’s injury, and Marcel Sabitzer’s inconsistent display were key talking points. Despite the unconvincing nature of the win, Borussia Dortmund will be relieved to have secured all three points. However, they’ll need to address their issues quickly if they are to mount a serious challenge this season.
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