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Player Ratings: Lethargic Borussia Dortmund suffer embarrassing defeat in Europa League

By Tushar Bahl

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 08: Marco Reus, Maximilian Philipp, Christian Pulisic and Omer Toprak of Borussia Dortmund look dejected in defeat after the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Red Bull Salzburg at the Signal Iduna Park on March 8, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 08: Marco Reus, Maximilian Philipp, Christian Pulisic and Omer Toprak of Borussia Dortmund look dejected in defeat after the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Red Bull Salzburg at the Signal Iduna Park on March 8, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their round of 16 tie against FC Salzburg at home.

Valon Berisha scored a second half brace for the visitors as Borussia Dortmund failed to impress in what was a gutless and flat display. Der BVB now face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the quarter finals.

Here are the player ratings for the Borussia Dortmund players.

Roman Burki 6/10

Made a great save to deny Salzburg in the first half. But he did not stand any chance for either goal as the Austrians dominated the second half. Eight games gone, still no clean sheet for Burki in Europe this season.

Gonzalo Castro 5/10

Peter Stoger shocked everyone by naming Gonzalo Castro at right back. And the midfielder failed to justify that decision. It was an uncomfortable night for Castro in a makeshift role, who did okay all things considered. Hopefully though, we will not see him in this role ever again.

Omer Toprak 4/10

It was a night to forget for Omer Toprak, who gave away a stupid penalty. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
It was a night to forget for Omer Toprak, who gave away a stupid penalty. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Made a really dumb mistake, giving away a penalty four minutes into the second half, which was converted by Valon Berisha. Marc Bartra may have grinned slightly looking at it. Was caught ball watching numerous time.

Sokratis 6/10

Did well defensively and dealt with every thing that came his way from the Salzburg attack. Once again showed his commitment in the heart of the back four. But he will be disappointed not to have scored, considering he had two free headers.

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Marcel Schmelzer 5/10

The German made a crucial goal line clearance in the first half, but was uncharacteristically sloppy at times as the game went on. Thought he was fouled before his sloppy pass led to Salzburg’s second goal, and wasn’t wrong. Doesn’t take away from the fact that it was a poor performance by the Dortmund skipper.

Julian Weigl 5/10

Weigl had another night to forget as he struggled to deal with Salzburg’s high press. Was booked once again. It was a bland performance from Weigl, who looks like a completely different player from last season.

Mahmoud Dahoud 5/10

Failed to control Schmelzer’s pass and Salzburg capitalized to make it 2-0. Was dispossessed four times in the game. His one good moment came late in the second half, when his cross from the right wing was missed by Philipp and miscued by Schurrle. Otherwise, a very ordinary performance by the youngster.

Marco Reus 5/10

Reus was arguably Dortmund’s only in-form player heading into the game. But he had a quiet game just like the rest of his compatriots. Did not get too involved and nothing seemed to be working for him. Looked to be getting tired as the game went on.

Mario Gotze 4/10

Gotze once again failed to have much of an impact to the game. Borussia Dortmund hardly created any chances in the first half, and the German playmaker failed to cause any problems to the Salzburg defense with his passes. To make things worse for him, Dortmund scored just moments after he was subbed off at the hour mark.

Andre Schurrle 5/10

Andre Schurrle scored Borussia Dortmund’s only goal of the game. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Andre Schurrle scored Borussia Dortmund’s only goal of the game. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Squeezed the ball home after getting on the end of Pulisic’s cross to give Dortmund a consolation goal at the hour mark. But aside from that, it was a poor performance by Schurrle. Killed many attacks for Dortmund and his first touch let him down quite a few times.

Michy Batshuayi 4/10

Was anonymous for large parts of the game before he was rightly subbed off at the hour mark along with Gotze. Failed to get in the game at all as the Salzburg defenders had a comfortable time dealing with him. His goal drought is becoming a worry now for Borussia Dortmund.

Michy Batshuayi was anonymous throughout the time he spent on the pitch. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
Michy Batshuayi was anonymous throughout the time he spent on the pitch. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images) /

Substitutes

Christian Pulisic 6/10

Came on at the hour mark and made an instant impact, getting an assist with a superb low cross from the right, just moments after coming on. Failed to help the team salvage a draw. But Pulisic will be happy to have helped the side get a goal after some uninspiring performances recently.

Maximilian Philipp 5/10

Came on at the hour mark alongside Pulisic. His only chance came from Mahmoud Dahoud’s cross to level the scores, but he missed the ball completely.

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