PLAYER RATINGS | Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hoffenheim – Schlotterbeck’s stars as BVB extend unbeaten run | OneFootball

Goals from Julian Brandt and Nico Schlotterbeck extended Borussia Dortmund’s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to six, bringing an end to Hoffenheim’s six-game unbeaten streak.

Brandt marked his 200th Bundesliga appearance for die Schwarzgelben with a superb display, scoring on the stroke of half-time before Dortmund captain Schlotterbeck doubled his team’s lead on the hour mark.

Few chances, but Borussia Dortmund capitalise

Dortmund started with intent, winning a corner in the opening minute but it would be Hoffenheim who had the first opportunity. Bazoumana Touré proved a threat down Hoffenheim’s left, troubling Aarón Anselmino and Waldemar Anton with his pace, and it was the Ivorian who provided the visitors with an excellent opportunity, whipping the ball across the six-yard box inside five minutes, but the ball evaded Tim Lemperle.

Serhou Guirassy, without a Bundesliga goal since Matchday 9, then spurned Dortmund’s first clear cut opportunity. It was the Guinean forward who started BVB’s counter-attack with a superb pass into the path of Marcel Sabitzer, who in turn played the ball out wide to Yan Couto – who started ahead of Julian Ryerson. The Brazilian whipped a delightful ball towards the far post which was taken down superbly by Guirassy, but he couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet.

That chance gave Dortmund hope. A minute later, BVB threatened Oliver Baumann’s goal again. Julian Brandt cut inside the left before firing a low effort, which was saved by the German veteran. It was then Brandt who struck first.

Karim Adeyemi was involved, playing a perfectly weighted pass into the run of Couto, who did brilliantly to pick out Brandt in the centre to fire BVB into the lead just before the break.

Captain Schlotterbeck extends Dortmund’s unbeaten run

Daniel Svensson was involved in a defensive and offensive action in the opening exchanges of the second-half. The Swede did well to clear the ball off Vladimír Coufal in the defensive third and at the other end, he was on the end of Adeyemi’s deep cross, forcing Baumann into an excellent save. BVB then enjoyed an extended spell of possession.

Svensson’s first corner was whipped in with wicked pace under Baumann’s crossbar, which forced the German stopper into action, parrying the ball behind for a second corner. This time, Hoffenheim were unable to clear their lines. The ball fell to Nico Schlotterbeck, who lost his footing as he took his shot, which sailed past Baumann into the far corner to double Dortmund’s lead.

After Couto’s mazy-run from his own half, he played through Guirassy in the 90th minute, but luck was against him as he saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar – his goal drought goes on just that little bit long. But Dortmund did close the gap to second-placed Leipzig with a commanding display.

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hoffenheim Player Ratings

Borussia Dortmund: Gregor Kobel (6) – Aarón Anselmino (7), Waldermar Anton (6), NicoSchlotterbeck (7) – Yan Couto (7), Marcel Sabitzer (6), Felix Nmecha (5), Daniel Svensson (6) – Julian Brandt (7), Karim Adeyemi (6) – Serhou Guirassy (5)

Others: Maximilian Beier (-), Carney Chukwuemeka (-), Julian Ryerson (-), Fabio Silva (-), Jobe (-)

Hoffenheim: Oliver Baumann (6) – Vladimír Coufal (5), Robin Hranáč (4), Albian Hajdari (4), Bernardo (5) – Leon Avdullahu (5), Grischa Prömel (3), Wouter Burger (6) – Tim Lemperle (5), Fisnik Asllani (4), Bazoumana Touré (5)

Others: Andrej Kramaric (5), Ilhas Bebou (-), Umut Tohumcu (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Yan Couto (7)

You could very well have given the MOTM to Nico Schlotterbeck but on his return to the starting lineup, Yan Couto excelled. Every Dortmund attack on the right went through the Brazilian, who showed excellent ball retention and neat dribbling. His final ball was on point. That’s one of his best performances in a Dortmund shirt.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder – reporting from Dortmund.