FC Köln 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: Key Takeaways from frustrating draw

Marius Wolf scores for Borussia Dortmund but shows why he isn’t a nailed on starter for his side

If someone had walked into this game midway into the first half and been told Dortmund had scored first courtesy of a player with a blonde ponytail, they’d be forgiven if their first thoughts went to Erling Haalnd. While Dortmund’s Norwegian goal machine has been involved in many goals this season, Marius Wolf was responsible for Dortmund’s only goal in this game, and it has to be said, it was quite magnificent. From Bellingham’s pass to Wolf’s run and calculated finish, the goal was everything a coach would want to see in their team’s attacking play.

Over the course of the last few games, Marius Wolf has done as much as he can to help Dortmund weather this injury crisis that seems to have befallen them since the start of the season. His performances have been good, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt man scoring some important goals in recent weeks, including in Dortmund’s 6-0 demolition of Borussia Mönchengladbach.

There are aspects of Wolf’s play that indicate that his role at the club would likely never exceed that of a good utility player however, despite these performances. Taking this game against Köln as an example, despite opening the scoring in the first half, Wolf picked up a silly yellow card for shoving one of Köln’s players to the ground and then refusing to hand over the ball.

The yellow indicated that Wolf would have to walk a tight rope for the rest of the match. It is frustration such as this that has held Dortmund back in the past, and while this time it didn’t lead to a sending off it puts unnecessary pressure on his teammates.

It is undeniable that Wolf, when on the pitch, puts in a shift most days. He is an energetic player who can score and assist, as well as play in offensive and defensive positions. His decision making at times however makes him suspect and culpable of putting his team at a disadvantage at times.

It is because of this that despite his good performances, for Wolf to have a hope of pushing for minutes in a healthy Borussia Dortmund squad, he will have to work out the bits of his play that can make him a liability.