Ranking and Grading Dortmund Players on UCL Group Stage Performances
There may have been a few stumbles leading to the finish the line, yet Borussia Dortmund somehow managed to finish top of their group in the Champions League on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against Belgian side Anderlecht.
Jurgen Klopp's team looked far from convincing against their opponents, as they had done against Arsenal in the previous matchday, in what could arguably be considered the second, consecutive meaningless fixture of the round.
However, that's not to say the 2013 finalists have looked outstanding in parts throughout this campaign to date, having overturned each of their three challengers to the top spot when it truly mattered.
Here's how Dortmund's players have looked throughout the opening six matches of the Champions League this season.
Goalkeepers and Defence
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Sokratis Papastathopoulos - A
It should come as little surprise that Dortmund’s performances in the Champions League began to falter as soon as Sokratis Papastathopoulos stepped out of the defence.
The Greek international has come on leaps and bounds after senior members of the defence fell with injury and has proven himself to be Klopp’s most trusted centre-back in Europe this season.
Neven Subotic - A
Perhaps not quite as impressive as Sokratis on the pitch, yet Neven Subotic has been ever-present in Klopp’s team throughout the Champions League this season. He returned to his old role as sensible cover for a very enthusiastic side.
Lukasz Piszczek - B
As arguably the only purpose-built right-back in this current Dortmund side, Lukasz Piszczek often makes the importance of a genuine full-back in the side look like night and day. Although he looked far from his best against Arsenal a few weeks ago, the Polish international is essential to this Dortmund defence.
Marcel Schmelzer - B
Enjoying something of a resurgence in the side this season, left-back Marcel Schmelzer has returned from injury and quickly reminded everyone how handy it is to have a left-sided full-back who can actually cross the ball with his left foot.
Still not without fault, but proving much more effective in the Champions League than his young, right-footed alternative.
Erik Durm - C+
Erik Durm has been a confusing player this season. Despite showing so much promise last year, the left-back has returned from the World Cup (without playing) and looked far from fit or comfortable in his position.
However, the left-back has played a significant part in this year’s European campaign and will continue to play a large part in Klopp’s lineup for the duration of the season.
Matthias Ginter - C
Despite a bumbling start to life at Dortmund, young centre-back Matthias Ginter has enjoyed two consecutive starts in the Champions League for Klopp’s side in the past few games.
The German international looked far from convincing against Arsenal, yet did show glimpses of his immense promise against Anderlecht earlier in the week. Perhaps there is a defender in there, somewhere.
Mats Hummels - C
Despite bringing such an immense presence to the side, Dortmund’s key centre-back Mats Hummels has only made a brief cameo in this season’s Champions League. In that time, he looked like his old self. However, the minimal number of minutes is very little to work on.
Mitchell Langerak - C
Having come in for the recently dropped Roman Weidenfeller, Mitch Langerak started against Anderlecht and proved why he was right to be given a chance in the first team.
Now we wait to see if Klopp will stick by his new shot-stopper for the remainder of the campaign.
Roman Weidenfeller - D
The unfortunate truth of the matter this season has been the simple fact that despite the glaring mistakes in Dortmund’s defence, much of the problems have come with Weidenfeller’s own performances in goal.
For a keeper who should now be approaching the peak form of his career, the German has looked unsure and far from convincing this season. He now sits on the bench, awaiting a second chance to prove himself.
Midfield
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Kevin Grosskreutz - B+
The Dortmund handyman has played in a wide variety of positions this season but not one has been taken light-heartedly or without commitment.
A tired and somewhat patronising description, yet Kevin Grosskreutz is quite simply the consistent workhorse in this Dortmund side.
Ilkay Gundogan - B
Central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan may still only be returning to full fitness, yet the glimpses that we’ve seen in the Champions League this season would suggest that his best is only just around the corner.
The German international has yet to last a full 90 minutes, but was pulling the strings like only he knows how this week against Anderlecht and in limited appearances earlier in the competition.
Sven Bender - B
This defensive midfielder has long shied away from his responsibilities in midfield, since his injury earlier in the year, yet Sven Bender has slowly begun to look like his old self in the past few weeks.
The young bruiser is an exceptional talent and notably lifts Dortmund’s efforts in the middle of the pitch when on form—something that seems to be getting better with every passing game at the moment.
Sebastian Kehl - B
This old war horse has long since decided his best years are behind him, yet, as we’ve seen in the Champions League, there’s still plenty of bite left in Sebastian Kehl.
Covering in midfielder when others were injured, the former Dortmund captain offered some genuine grit to a side that looked all but beat before each game earlier in the month.
Nuri Sahin - C
Making his return to Dortmund for the first time this season against Anderlecht on Tuesday, Nuri Sahin not only showed glimpses of his best going forward, but also just how far he was from full fitness when asked to track back.
The Turkish star will be fit and ready to fight for the next round, but didn’t look too convincing on his comeback.
Forwards
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Marco Reus - A
At the top of our list we have Marco Reus, Dortmund’s most deadly forward and undoubtedly the most important player on the pitch for the Bundesliga club.
Despite only making two appearances in the competition this season, Reus has provided two goals and an assist and looked at his absolute best in his brief stints on the pitch.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - A
Very few people in World football could even consider replacing an injured Reus, yet the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has at times proven to do exactly that, if only in terms of the goals he’s scored in the campaign.
Three goals and two assists in five starts is an impressive tally for any player in today’s competition.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - A-
Despite holding all the skill and talent to potentially match Reus in the department of Dortmund’s best player, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been held back this year by his inability to score goals.
The Armenian can link through any defence in the world, yet at the moment he seems truly incapable of finishing a move as well as he can start one.
Ciro Immobile - A-
Often shunned in the league and Pokal Cup, Ciro Immobile has wasted little time in the opportunities he has been given in Europe.
The Italian striker may be a long way from becoming a bona fide starter at Dortmund, but with four goals in Europe already this season, he has done more than his fair share in this competition.
Shinji Kagawa - B
Like Mkhitaryan, Shinji Kagawa has struggled to step up to the plate in the Champions League when called upon this season.
The Dortmund playmaker will eventually turn good and prove his worth to Klopp’s side, but for now we’re only getting glimpses of his talent.
Adrian Ramos - C
In a similar fashion to Immobile’s current struggles, Adrian Ramos has also struggled to establish himself in the squad since arriving over the summer.
If it hadn’t been for two fortuitous goals in 25 minutes against Anderlecht, this striker would have had very little to show for his participation in the competition this season.
Note: All stats referenced in this article came from WhoScored.com and some members of the Dortmund squad have been omitted from the rankings due to lack of game time in the competition.
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