Borussia Dortmund 1-2 VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings: Die Borussen fail to stabilize their faltering season with another loss at home

With the Bundesliga past the halfway point of the season already, there is a growing impetus for Borussia Dortmund to course-correct and get their season back on track. Facing them is a VfB Stuttgart side making a strong case for themselves to break into the top 4. That said, let’s have a look at how the game unfolded and the Borussia Dortmund vs VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings.

Initially, the visiting Stuttgart side piled the pressure on Dortmund, forcing them to be pinned in and reserved to defend a series of set pieces. As the game went on, Dortmund started to get more on the ball, and aside from a few cheap giveaways, matched the attacking intent shown by their opponents. The clearest chance of the game fell to Deniz Undav as he latched on to a loose back pass, but then failed to get his shot off before being nudged off it by Emre Can.

The second half was much more eventful with Dortmund scoring an own goal, conceding another before finding one in reply as well. All in all, it was an entertaining game where the calmer minds prevailed. 

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs VfB Stuttgart

Goalkeeper 

Gregor Kobel: 6.5/10- Had a rough day at the office, as he was left helpless for both goals. Saw his player turn one in and was left to face a volleyed effort from close range for the second.

Defenders 

Ramy Bensebaini: 6/10- Had to invert into midfield to help with the build-up but was instead leaving gaps in behind on quite a few occasions. Needed to have a little more physicality about him as was getting outdone in that department. 

Waldemar Anton: 6/10- Barring a hospital pass that sent Deniz Undav clear on goal, was quite solid throughout. Dealt with a lot of aerial threats and aggressively pushed out to clear out danger. Became the enforcer after Can picked up an early yellow. They were rather unlucky with their own goal.

Emre Can: 6.5/10- Slightly shaky at the start which saw him booked after pulling an opponent that managed to wriggle past him. Was much more careful thereon and seemed comfortable with the ball at his feet. 

Julian Ryerson: 6.5/10- Showed great athleticism and awareness to win back possession at times and was solid defensively. Did not have too much contribution toward the other end of the pitch but was always present in the buildup. Got himself needlessly sent off in the closing stages of the game. 

Midfielders 

Marcel Sabitzer: 7/10- A rock in midfield for Dortmund, managed the game well and dropped deep to help the defense as well. Kept the ball moving in midfield and was visibly one of their more key players on the day. 

Pascal Groß: 6/10- Very reserved and almost passenger-like throughout the game. Only played safe sideways and backward passes for most of the game.

Julian Brandt: 6.5/10- Had a bit of an anonymous start to the game, but eventually started popping up to help supplement the attack. Got close to his wingers and became an option almost every time either of them got the ball, and showed some neat interplay. Saw an ambitious effort find itself into a goal through a group of players.

Attackers 

Jamie Gittens: 7.5/10- Showed great intent each time he got the ball, dribbling through hordes of defenders and at times unleashing from quite a fair distance. Needed to have a little more composure with his shooting though.

Karim Adeyemi: 6/10- Had a torrid time for large parts of the first half, either closed down in an instant or locked out of the game entirely by the left-sided defenders of Stuttgart. Couldn’t produce anything especially useful when he did get the ball, and scuffed his lines when he had a big chance. 

Serhou Guirassy: 6.5/10- Worked tirelessly but was not provided any service up top. Tried to get on the end of a few crosses but couldn’t get a clear-cut opportunity. Was a problem to be dealt with regardless. 

Substitutes 

Maximilian Beier: N/A

Gio Reyna: N/A

Daniel Svensson: N/A

Julien Duranville: N/A

Manager

Niko Kovač: 7/10- Made the best of what he had available and barring some bad luck, managed a very competitive game.

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VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Goalkeeper 

Alexander Nübel: 7.5/10- Dealt with a lot of pressure from Dortmund quite comfortably, having to save a few long-range efforts and overall keeping things clean at the back in the off chance that Dortmund managed to break past the backline. 

Defenders 

Maximilian Mittelstadt: 7/10- Kept his man in tight check and was very dominant in his duels against Adeyemi, not allowing the attacker even a moment of respite. Solid throughout and was very good on the ball as well. 

Ramon Hendriks: 7/10- Put life and limb on the line to recover in time and deny Guirassy an open goal. Was diligent throughout and was hardly ever outdone, keeping things sealed tight at the back for the most part.

Julian Chabot: 7.5/10- Defensively solid and was good with the ball at his feet while playing out as well. Was a problem to deal with during set pieces but was able to find his goal eventually with a superb half-volleyed finish. 

Leonidas Stergiou: 6.5/10- Had a difficult time trying to keep pace with Gittens, but did well to keep things clean for the most part. Was slick with the ball at his feet at times and showed great defensive acumen from time to time.

Jamie Leweling: 7/10- Constantly pushed up the pitch off the right to try and link with a fellow player and often got down to the byline to try and pick out a cross. Was present in the buildup to the first goal, bagged the assist for the second, and was quick to reinforce the defense as well. 

Midfielders 

Atakan Karazor: 6.5/10- Put in a good defensive shift and was always present to help back the defense. Got wiped out in one instance while doing the same and did not shy away from giving his all regardless.

Angelo Stiller: 6.5/10- Not at his creative best on the afternoon but was tidy in transition and provided some much-needed steel in the midfield. Had a few good deliveries from set pieces as well.

Enzo Millot: 6/10- Had a very quiet afternoon and barring a few moments of retaining possession, did not provide or contribute much to the side in transition or during attacking moments. 

Chris Führich: 7/10- Fleet-footed and direct every time he received the ball. Drove forward with good intention and urgency which yielded the first goal for his side. Was one of the most dangerous players on the pitch for his side. 

Attackers 

Deniz Undav: 6/10- Missed a golden opportunity to put his side ahead after not being able to make up his mind and pull the trigger. Grew into the game a little more after the second goal and had an acrobatic effort as well.

Substitutes 

Josha Vagnoman: N/A

Ermedin Demirović: N/A

Yannik Keitel: N/A

Nick Woltemade: N/A

Manager

Sebastian Hoeneß: 7/10- Set his side up well and reaped the benefits for it, despite some of his best players not delivering.

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