Ranking and Grading Dortmund's Players on Champions League Performances so Far

Borussia Dortmund may have struggled against the might of Arsenal on Wednesday night in this week's Champions League action, yet the Bundesliga side have had a relatively easy run of things in this season's group stages. 

Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with his team on the whole, following four wins from their opening five games and a quick and rather efficient route to qualification for the last 16. 

With plenty of contrast between his side's form in Europe and at home in the Bundesliga, Klopp will still happily take the defeat in London over the troubles that have besieged them back in Germany this season.

Here are the grades for the Dortmund squad in the European competition thus far. 

Some players were excluded from this list due to lack of playing time. 

Goalkeeper and Defence

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Sokratis Papastathopoulos - A

It’s long been the case at Dortmund over the past season that the club’s top defender has in fact been recent signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos. 

The Greek international has seemed impermeable to the club’s poor form in the Bundesliga and has led by example across the club’s European campaign. 

Neven Subotic - A

While Dortmund’s captain remains bogged down with injury, central defender Neven Subotic has taken the reigns as commander-in-chief at the back with some fine defensive performances. 

The Serbian defender has played in each of Dortmund’s games in the Champions League this season and, aside from Wednesday’s game, has shown outstanding defensive fortitude. 

Lukasz Piszczek - B+

If Lukasz Piszczek hadn’t played against Arsenal on Wednesday, he’d probably be featuring in this list with the letter A beside his name—such was the shameful nature of his performance against Alexis Sanchez. 

However, the Polish international is still a fantastic full-back and should be complimented for being his usual excellent self in each of his other appearances. 

Roman Weidenfeller - B

Although Roman Weidenfeller has looked far from perfect for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, the goalkeeper has done well to complement a strong defensive record in Europe this season. 

The German shot-stopper may no longer hold the same control over his position like he used to, but for now he is keeping young Mitch Langerak at bay. 

Marcel Schmelzer - B

Similarly to a number of players in the squad, Marcel Schmelzer has perfectly characterised the Jekyll and Hyde style of Dortmund’s form in the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season. 

Where he has looked fragile in German competition, the left-back has stood strong and impressed on the European stage. A useful full-back throughout his three appearances in the tournament this season. 

Erik Durm - B

Alongside Schmelzer, Erik Durm stands as a challenger to the left-back position with a number of strong performances in the Champions League this season. 

Durm has actually found himself at right-back, to cover Piszczek, more often than not and has unsurprisingly looked much more comfortable on his favoured right foot. Perhaps something for Klopp to note for the future?

Matthias Ginter - D

Matthias Ginter’s poor start to life at Dortmund has continued in the Champions League, with continuously poor form whenever called upon in Europe. 

He was at fault for Arsenal’s opening goal on Wednesday and showed just how far he still has to come throughout the 90 minutes at the Emirates. 

Mats Hummels - C

Despite Dortmund’s strong defensive displays in Europe this season, Klopp has had to make do without their captain Mats Hummels for the large majority of the campaign. 

The central defender was at the top of his game against Galatasaray but only lasted 69 minutes, and he has yet to return to the side in continental competition. 

Midfield

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Sebastian Kehl - A

In one of the more bizarre aspects of Dortmund’s season thus far, it has been senior defensive midfielder Sebastian Kehl who has led the way in the Champions League. 

The 34-year-old midfielder didn’t feature on Wednesday and was notably missed in a Dortmund midfield that lacked bite and the determination to win such a game. 

Sven Bender - B+

Only whisper it, but Sven Bender may just be returning to his old self with a series of strong performances in the Champions League. 

Klopp desperately needs the young midfielder fighting fit and back on his game as he hopes to turn his season around, which looks to be the case from his select appearances in Europe. 

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - B

Despite a rather laboured performance against Arsenal this week, Dortmund’s latest attacking midfield talent has tended to lead by example in the Champions League this season. 

From midfield, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has often found himself in more goalscoring opportunities than most and offered a genuine intention to get forward and create chances. Still no goals in the competition, but we can’t fault him for trying. 

Kevin Grosskreutz - B

Dortmund’s favoured son Kevin Grosskreutz has been at his absolute best in the Champions League this season, with his trademark industrial nature offering plenty for Klopp against each of his opponents. 

The German international may have only played three games so far but has been an exceptional option for Klopp whenever he’s needed to shore up the midfield. 

Shinji Kagawa - B

Shinji Kagawa has continued his return to prominence at Dortmund with a number of strong performances in the Champions League. 

He was notably impressive against Anderlecht and Galatasaray in both away games and has featured in all but one of the sides games thus far. 

Ilkay Gundogan - C

One player who has laboured in his return to the first team is Ilkay Gundogan, who has yet to look like his old self for the club this season. 

The 24-year-old looked far from fit against Arsenal, with a string of performances in the preceding weeks that have quite simply suggested that he isn’t ready to star in midfield just yet. 

Attack

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Marco Reus - A

Although completely overcome by injury this season, Marco Reus has impressed in select performances in the Champions League. 

Unfortunately, Galatasaray were the opponents in both games, proving little trouble for the German international as he scored in both encounters. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - A

One of the few bastions of consistency this season has been recently acquired Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has found himself leading Dortmund’s line and goalscoring charts. 

With three goals in just five Champions League games so far, the former Ligue 1 striker has looked strong and on form for Klopp’s team this year. 

Ciro Immobile - B

Ciro Immobile is another player who offered very little against Arsenal this week, yet by in large he has excelled in the Champions League this season. 

The Italian striker has already bagged three goals in the competition this year, with a particularly pleasing individual effort against Arsene Wenger’s team in the opening fixture of the group. 

Adrian Ramos - B

Adrian Ramos has only managed to play 75 minutes for Dortmund in this season’s Champions League, yet the Colombian striker already has three goals to his name. 

Offering very little else aside from that, it would seem odd to praise or criticise the striker for such a record.