RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings: Simons and Openda goals keep Leipzig in the hunt for UCL places

Goals from Xavi Simons and Loïs Openda in either half were enough to give RB Leipzig all three points in tonight’s Bundesliga encounter at the Red Bull Arena. The win has put Marco Rose’s men back in contention for the Champions League places as they are on 5th place, with only goal difference separating them and Frankfurt.

The opening exchanges of the game were a classic example of both the teams sizing each other up as they tried to gain a measure of their opponents. Dortmund started as the slightly better of the two sides, but not by much. Guirassy thought he had an opening in the 4th minute, but Leipzig keeper Gulácsi was alert to the danger and smothered the ball.

The game well and truly opened up after the tenth minute of the first half. Emre Can was booked for a cynical foul at the byline following a nutmeg by Lois Openda. The resulting free-kick taken by Xavi Simons was well saved by Dortmund keeper Kobel. This was followed by a rapid counter-attack by the visitors that led to Guirassy taking a first-time shot from the edge of the 18-yard circle which was saved by Gulácsi on the second attempt.

From there, it felt like the momentum of the proceedings turned Leipzig’s way as the hosts kept the pressure on Dortmund with repeated attacks. They should have taken the lead after a brilliant first-time cross from David Raum found Openda, but he smashed his effort off the crossbar from 6 yards out.

However, they did not have to wait long to take the lead. A sweeping ball from Openda found Xavi, who in turn found Raum to his left. The full-back unleashed a shot that was well saved by Kobel, but the ensuing rebound fell rather kindly from Xavi, who did not make any mistake and unleashed a fierce shot in the bottom left corner.

From there on, it was all Leipzig as Dortmund just did not seem to be able to compete with their hosts. Openda, Raum, and Xavi kept running the Dortmund defence ragged as the visitors hung on for dear life. Things went from bad to worse for Dortmund as midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was substituted at the 32nd minute with what looked like a knee injury.

Leipzig kept piling on the pressure and they were almost rewarded with a second goal as another sweeping move found Ridle, but his sweetly-timed left-footed strike once again rattled the Dortmund crossbar.

To their credit, Dortmund finished the half on a positive note as a bit of hesitation from Raum gave Adiyemi enough space to unleash a snapshot that drew a smart save from Gulácsi. Ryerson was also booked for Dortmund as the first half drew to a close.

The second half began the same way the first half ended, as Guirassy’s headed attempt was just wide of the target. However, any thoughts of Dortmund restoring parity were dealt a body blow as Leipzig doubled their lead in emphatic fashion. A long, floated corner from Xavi found Openda unmarked on the far side, who unleashed an unstoppable first-time curler which found its way to the top corner.

If Leipzig thought that the 2-0 lead would put Dortmund away, then they were mistaken. In a frenzied 6-minute spell, Dortmund had 4 consecutive shots on goal. Maximilian Beier saw his three shots hit the crossbar, go off target, and saved by the keeper one after the other.

Dortmund were cutting through Leipzig with ease but they found Gulácsi in inspired form. First he kept out Guirassy’s effort, then a few minutes later was diving at full stretch to keep out Adiyemi’s goal-bound effort.

From thereon, it was a case of game management and keeping the clean sheet intact as Leipzig expertly took the victory and the resulting 3 points.

RB Leipzig Player Ratings

GK- Gulácsi- 8/10

Utterly dominant display from the Hungarian international to keep his clean sheet intact. His saves to deny Guirassy and Adiyemi in the second half were the picks of the bunch.

CB- Bitshiabu- 6/10

Did a decent job whenever called upon. Had a shot that went off target in the first half.

CB- Orbán- 6/10

Marshalled the backline well. Did just enough to have a decent day altogether

CB- Geertruida- 6.5/10

Was reliable and steady in defence at the back. Had a strong goalsaving block towards the end of the game

RWB- Baku- 8/10

Was a constant outlet whenever Leipzig had the ball. Was unlucky to see his shot crash into the woodwork

CM- Baumgartner- 7/10

The midfield veteran kept things moving nicely in the middle of the park. Started the move with a sweeping cross-field pass that led to the opening goal.

CM- Seiwald- 6/10

Kept things tidy and composed in midfield. Unfussy and no-nonsense performance overall

LWB- Raum- 7/10

Was a constant outlet and genuine threat from the left hand side and was a key part of the opening goal. His influence waned in the second half after the yellow card.

RF- Šeško- 5/10

A rather quiet and subdued performance by the big Slovenian striker. A fortunate deflection sees him get the credit for assisting the opening goal, but was on the periphery of the game

ST- Openda- 8.5/10

Was arguably the best player on the field for Leipzig tonight if not for Simons. Quick mazy dribbles, a stylish nutmeg, defensive back-tracking. He did it all. Should have scored the opening goal in the first half, but more than made up for it with his sumptuous goal in the second half.

LF- Simons- 8/10

Was a constant menace throughout the game. Got the ball rolling with a well taken finish in the first-half. He was the beating heart of this Leipzig side as he capped off a fine performance with an assist early in the second half.

Sub- Kampl- 6/10

Was brought on as defensive cover to manage the game. Did his bit competently.

Sub- Klostermann- 6/10

Another change to add defensive bodies in the game. Did enough to keep the game ticking

Sub- Haidara- 5/10

Was brought on as a late sub. Did not have enough time to make an impact.

Sub- Lukeba- 5/10

Was brought on as a late sub. Did not have enough time to make an impact.

Sub- Gomis- 5/10

Was brought on as a late sub. Did not have enough time to make an impact.

Manager- Marco Rose- 8/10

The manager did most of the things right and on time. Made the right changes at the right time and managed the game expertly as his side deservedly took home the 3 points at the end.

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Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings

GK- Kobel- 6/10

Pulled out a few strong saves in the game. Was helpless for both the goals he conceded

RB- Anton- 5/10

Tried to keep things tight at the back but wasn’t that successful. Had a better second-half than the first

CB- Can- 6/10

A cynical yellow within the first 10 minutes of the game meant he played the entire game on a disciplinary tightrope. To his credit, he did a good job after the yellow.

CB- Schlotterbeck- 6/10

Just like his defensive partner, put in a decent shift at the heart of defence. Had a couple of shots late in the second half.

LB- Ryerson- 5/10

The weak link of that Dortmund defense. Was bypassed by Openda time and again at will, and eventually earned a foolish yellow for his troubles.

CDM- Sabitzer- 4/10

The former Leipzig man could not do much to make an impact for his side as he was withdrawn due to injury. Hope the injury is not serious and he makes a quick recovery.

CDM- Groß- 4/10

Virtually invisible throughout. Barely made any chance or tackle of note.

RW- Adiyemi- 7/10

Was lively and energetic throughout his stay in the middle, but his touch let him down on occasion. Had two really good shots that were well-saved by Gulácsi.

ST- Guirassy- 7.5/10

Was Dortmund’s best player on the pitch today. He led the line well, did the dirty work on defense and had a few good opportunities that were saved or blocked. A performance that he should be proud of despite the result.

LW- Beier- 6.5/10

Was having an anonymous game until that 5-minute frenzy in the second half that saw him take 3 shots on the bounce. Had one saved, one off target, and one hit the bar. Went off the boil after that spell.

Sub- Gittens- 5/10

Was brought on as a late sub to make a difference. Couldn’t do much.

Sub- Chukwuemenka- 4/10

Was brought in too late to make an impact. Was booked as well.

Manager- Niko Kovac- 5/10

The Dortmund boss had everything go wrong for him tonight. Could not make the changes required to change the outcome of the game, neither could he muster a response from the players as well. Also made just two changes, which was a surprise considering they were chasing the game.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match for the match goes to Xavi Simons.

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