Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich: Key Talking Points

Hakimi looks lackluster amid expectations set by his agent

Let me start this section off by saying this: Achraf Hakimi has been immensely important to the positive results Borussia Dortmund have had over the past two years. It is these performances that have had many, especially his agent, to claim that he will be the best player in his position one day.

That is a fair assessment, if you take in his positive showings. The problem with Hakimi is that he lacks consistency, which may be one of the things that hampers him down the line. Just as he’s had showings where he’s provided solid performances, providing assists and scoring crucial goals. To be the best in his position in a couple years time means he will have to improve the defensive side of his game, which, considering his showing on Monday, has some ways to go.

On his day, Hakimi can be one of the most interesting and engaging players to watch. In the game against Wolfsburg last weekend, he was able to make incisive runs and his passing, like the rest of the squads, was crisp.

On days like the one he had against Bayern, his play can be incredibly frustrating. While he was not the only one struggling on the pitch, he often looked very confused with regards to what to do, standing there with his hands upturned, as if asking his teammates for a clue. His passing, as exemplified throughout the game, was off, especially in the first half where a few half chances went begging because he seemed to not be in sync with the rest of the squad.

There were several moments of defensive naivety that took place, most notably a clearing header that ended up at the edge of Dortmund’s box, and quickly on the end of a Bayern player’s foot shortly thereafter. He was dispossessed by Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry on a couple of occasions as well, which led to chances on goal which mounted the pressure on both Roman Bürki and the rest of the defence unnecessarily.

Hakimi had an off-day going forward as well, as Alphonso Davies had the measure of him almost every time he ventured forward.