After their exploits in midweek, Borussia Dortmund faced a tough test against VfB Stuttgart who had started the season strongly but were on a two-match losing run.
Dortmund reverted to how they have played in the league in the last few weeks as Stuttgart dominated the majority of the game. Early in the half, Deniz Undav was fouled by Gregor Kobel to give VfB a penalty which was saved by the Swiss international. Dortmund continued to rely on Kobel for the majority of the first half as the goalkeeper made countless saves to keep out Stuttgart. Dortmund would open the scoring against the run of play when Niclas Füllkrug converted a cutback, but they were unable to hold their lead for long as Undav equalised.
In the second half, the game proved to be more even with Dortmund still having to rely on Kobel to keep them in the game. However, Kobel once again proved to be erratic and took down Silas to give Stuttgart another penalty which was converted by the returning Sehrou Guirassy.
The win sees Stuttgart stay third but extend their lead on Dortmund to three points.
Alexander Nübel – 6
Waldemar Anton – 6
Dan-Axel Zagadou – 6
Hiroki Ito – 6
Maximilian Mittelstädt – 6
Angelo Stiller – 7 – A strong performance for Stiller once again, the 22-year-old has been one of the underrated players in Stuttgart as they continue their impressive season under Sebastien Hoeneß.
Atakan Karazor – 6
Jamie Leweling – 6
Enzo Millot – 6
Chris Führich – 6
Deniz Undav – 7 – Caused several problems for Dortmund’s defence throughout the first half and could have had more than one goal if it were not for Kobel’s performance. The 27-year-old has proved that he can not only be a suitable understudy to Guirassy but he could also play next to the Guinean.
Others: Sehrou Guirassy (7) – Immediately hit the ground running when he was substituted on. The 27-year-old made Stuttgart a better team and scored on his return as well. , Josha Vagnoman (6), Silas (6), Woo-Yeong Jeong (-), Leonidas Stergiou (-)
Gregor Kobel – 7 – Was the reason Dortmund lost the game whilst also being the reason Dortmund were only a goal behind. Throughout the game, Kobel made several key saves to keep Dortmund in the game but his erratic behaviour when coming off of his line cost Dortmund the game.
Niklas Süle – 6
Mats Hummels – 5
Nico Schlotterbeck – 5
Julian Ryerson – 6
Salih Özcan – 4
Felix Nmecha – 5
Marcel Sabitzer – 5
Karim Adeyemi – 4
Niclas Füllkrug – 5
Julian Brandt – 4 – None existent in the first half, despite his strong performance in midweek against Newcastle, Brandt was not able to replicate it. His replacement Marco Reus was a lot more impactful in the second half.
Others: Ramy Bensebaini (5), Marco Reus (6), Donyell Malen (5), Giovanni Reyna (5), Youssoufa Moukoko (5)
GGFN | Jack Meenan
