Borussia Dortmund come away with all three points but they were made to work for their 1-0 win against Hertha Berlin. Anthony Modeste scored his first goal for BVB whilst summer arrival from Cologne, Salih Özcan, impressed on his debut. Karim Adeyemi returned to the squad after missing the last two, whilst Marco Reus and Julian Brandt created several chances.
As for the hosts, both Dodi Lukebakio and Chidera Ejuke impressed on the flanks, and were lively throughout. Substitute Marco Richter forced BVB’s Gregor Kobel into a superb save. Although not a pretty performance, Edin Terzić and BVB can be happy with three points following last weekend’s collapse vs Werder Bremen.
Hertha Berlin – 0
- Oliver Christensen, 7
- Jonjoe Kenny, 5
- Marc-Oliver Kempf, 7
- Márton Dárdai, 6
- Marvin Plattenhardt, 7
- Lucas Tousart, 7
- Suat Serdar, 6
- Jean-Paul Boëtius, 5
- Dodi Lukebakio, 7 – One of Hertha Berlin’s better players on the afternoon. Always looking to create something on the ball, running at defenders but at the decisive moments, wanted too much time on the ball.
- Chidera Ejuke, 7 – Like Lukebakio on the other flank, the Nigerian was lively throughout and always wanted to make something happen. Will be an important player for Hertha this season.
- Wilfried Kanga, 4
Others: Kevin-Prince Boateng (6), Davie Selke (-), Stevan Jovetic (-), Marco Richter (6)
Borussia Dortmund – 1 (Modeste, 32)
- Gregor Kobel, 7
- Marius Wolf, 5 – Started ahead of Thomas Meunier at right-back and had a tough time against Ejuke. Substituted for the Belgian midway through the second-half. Good at going forward, but struggled defensively, again.
- Mats Hummels, 6
- Nico Schlotterbeck, 6
- Raphaël Guerreiro, 6
- Jude Bellingham, 7
- Salih Özcan, 8 – One of the Bundesliga’s most improved player’s last season has slotted in seamlessly alongside Jude Bellingham. Composed on the ball, combative and assisted former Cologne teammate Anthony Modeste for the Frenchman’s headed goal. Strong debut.
- Karim Adeyemi, 6 – Returned following a foot injury but struggled. Lost his footing on a couple of occasions. An excellent chance to make it 2-0 but forced Christensen into a good save. Substituted midway through the second 45 with an ice pack immediately on his foot.
- Marco Reus, 7 – Some moments of brilliance. Ball just didn’t fall for the Borussia Dortmund captain against Hertha Berlin. Always looked to bring others into play.
- Julian Brandt, 7 – Arguably one of Borussia Dortmund’s better attacking players in the last two games. Good at changing tempo of the game and and transitioning the ball.
- Anthony Modeste, 7 – Saw more of the ball than he did against Werder Bremen last weekend. Had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring in the early stages but dragged his shot wide. Always worked hard, and the Frenchman got his maiden BVB goal with a superb header. Modeste, as evident during his performances for Cologne last season, a force inside the penalty area.
Others: Thomas Meunier (6), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (-), Niklas Süle (-), Thorgan Hazard (-)
GGFN
