Borussia Dortmund 5-1 FC Koln: Three takeaways from the game

DORTMUND, GERMANY - JANUARY 24: Erling Braut Haaland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring the goal to the 4:1 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln at the Signal Iduna Park on January 24, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images) /

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DORTMUND, GERMANY – JANUARY 24: Jhon Cordoba of 1. FC Koeln battles for possession with Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koeln at Signal Iduna Park on January 24, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Hummels’ talent on full display

Mats Hummels was exceptional in the game against FC Koln, not only for the defensive performance he put in but for his exceptional ball playing ability. Hummels is one of the best ball playing center backs in the world and that was clear to see in this one.

Time after time in the first half Hummels was able to find Reus or Sancho with line breaking long balls with perfect precision and weight.

Dortmund’s first two goals were down to Hummels finding Reus with exceptional over the top long balls. The first one he found Reus on the run who was able to stop it and allow Sancho to get up the right wing before finding Guerreiro to open the scoring.

The second one was absolutely ridiculous, it was a 50 foot long ball sending Marco Reus on a breakaway. Reus only had to touch the ball once as he put it in the net, that’s how great of a pass it was from Hummels.

The Dortmund vice captain was also immense defensively, winning four tackles, two interceptions and five clearances, while winning a game high 17 duels.

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