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Mahmoud Dahoud: From forgotten man to Borussia Dortmund’s influential midfielder

By Adam Bakr

SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 17: Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with Raphael Guerreiro and Emre Can after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Sevilla FC and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 17, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 17: Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with Raphael Guerreiro and Emre Can after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Sevilla FC and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 17, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) /
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Mahmoud Dahoud bossed the midfield battle against Sevilla (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Mahmoud Dahoud bossed the midfield battle against Sevilla (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Champions League against Sevilla

Mahmoud Dahoud took full advantage of his first start in the game against Sevilla, and was quick to make his return known to everyone. With Borussia Dortmund down 1-0 early to Sevilla, Dahoud levelled the scores with a peach of a strike from distance that found the corner of the net. The quality of the goal speaks for itself. What can go under appreciated was the importance of that goal for the game.

Going into the game against Sevilla, Dortmund had trailed in six of the previous seven games, and had only gone on to win one of them. On the other side, Sevilla had kept seven consecutive clean sheets. While the goal came with plenty of time left, it was still important to break through Sevilla before the Spanish side could take control of the game and focus on sitting deep to counter Dortmund.

Soon after, Dahoud nearly picked up an assist with Dortmund up 2-1. He drove the ball forward and found Erling Haaland with a disguised through ball, but the striker’s effort was saved.

He also helped make the third goal happen. He was involved in the initial press that led to Marco Reus dispossessing Papu Gomez, and his darting run forward prevented the defence from overloading on Haaland’s side. The goal was more about Reus and Haaland, but the little things Dahoud was able to do in the lead-up to it made life easier for Dortmund’s star attackers.

On the ball, Dahoud was always able to move Dortmund forward and help create openings. Per FBref, he ended the game with over 100 yards of progressive passing and progressive dribbling yardage, leading the midfield in both categories. He also led the side in passes completed under pressure.

Defensively, Dahoud helped keep Sevilla at bay for long stretches of the game. He led the side in tackles, pressures and successful pressures. In total, Dahoud helped caused 11 Sevilla turnovers in the match, the most of any Dortmund player.

The win was a massive step for Borussia Dortmund in their quest for qualification to the Champions League quarterfinals, and Dahoud’s performance was a huge factor.

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