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Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96: Key Takeaways from narrow win

By Critty Smith

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: The scoreboard after the final whistle during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96 at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: The scoreboard after the final whistle during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96 at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund earned a narrow 1-0 win over Hannover 96 thanks to a Michy Batshuayi winner. Here are the key takeaways from the game.

Improved Play From Individual Players

Borussia Dortmund were better today than the side that showed up against FC Salzburg on Thursday. However, due to a lack of concept, this is mostly due to the improved play of select individual players, and not a sudden stroke of tactical genius on Peter Stöger’s behalf.

Michy Batshuayi delivered the “goal of the week” in the Bundesliga, and second best on the continent behind Roberto Firmino’s heel flick against Watford. The Belgian international was heavily involved in this match.

When Batshuayi gets a lot of touches, BVB typically have a much greater chance of winning. In addition to the “Batsman,” Mahoud Dahoud performed well against Die 96er. 

Mario Götze, who looked totally frustrated against Salzburg earlier this week, made his presence felt against Hannover. Andre Schürrle and Lukasz Piszczek also had much improved performances from the previous match.

Gonzalo Castro and Marcel Schmelzer Still Look Lost

If you were to examine the BVB back line during an opposition counter-attack, certain things would stand out like a sore thumb. One of those, is the fact that Marcel Schmelzer almost always loses his marker or is out of position.

Hanover’s German defender Matthias Ostrzolek and Dortmund’s German defender Marcel Schmelzer vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96 in Dortmund, western Germany, on March 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ
Hanover’s German defender Matthias Ostrzolek and Dortmund’s German defender Marcel Schmelzer vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96 in Dortmund, western Germany, on March 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ /

The BVB captain was once again one of the poorest performers on the pitch for the Black and Yellows. Schmelzer appears disoriented at times. This, while Raphael Guerreiro sits on the bench. Mr. Stöger, it might be time for a change at left back.

Gonzalo Castro delivered the poorest performance among Dortmund players in today’s game per WhoScored. I would have to agree. The time has come for him to reside on the bench. He is, at least as it pertains to Borussia Dortmund, no longer qualified to be a starter.

He could certainly receive quality minutes elsewhere in the Bundesliga, but as it pertains to BVB, who I assume still has Champions League aspirations and considers themselves among Europe’s top clubs, it is time for Castro to move on.

A Lot of Shots, Not Enough Goals

BVB was much better attacking down the middle in today’s match. This was in large part due to the resurgent Mario Götze and improved play of young Mahmoud Dahoud. Dortmund’s chance creation was at times, fantastic.

Where this all takes a downward turn is their chance conversion. Stöger’s attacking line scored a single goal off of 25 shots, eight of which were on target. To say that this is a terrible conversion percentage (4%) is an understatement.

Dortmund’s Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs Hanover 96, in Dortmund, western Germany, on March 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ
Dortmund’s Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs Hanover 96, in Dortmund, western Germany, on March 18, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ /

It appeared sometimes as if certain players were simply shooting for the sake of shooting, without any real purpose. More revealing perhaps, Dortmund’s loan goal came from a corner kick and not from open play.

Die Schwarz-Gelben  are going to have to rely on this inconsistent, undisciplined attack, lacking any and all tactical concept, to get them through the remainder of the season, all the while trying to secure Champions League qualification. Good luck.

Peter Stöger’s Dortmund Lacks a Killer Instinct

Remember when Dortmund destroyed ‘Gladbach 6-1 back in September? And despite the outcome at the end of the match, put four goals past Ralf Fährmann during the first half of the Revierderby.

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Under Peter Bosz, BVB would continue to pursue goals, trying to crush their opponent’s spirits. In other words: “they tried to shut the door.”

This 2018 Dortmund, more specifically Peter Stöger’s Dortmund, does not do that. At almost no point does a 1-0 lead appear to matter. In fact, quite the opposite. If BVB scores first, regardless of who they are playing, the match never feels “safe.”

Today was another shining example of this as Hannover had multiple chances to score an equalizer in the second half. Dortmund could have easily won this match by three or four goals. But they didn’t.

“Killer instinct” is something Borussia Dortmund have had under their previous three managers, at one point or another. Under Stöger, it is completely absent. Perhaps this is the cause for the many draws the team has recorded under the Austrian manager, as opposed to wins.

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