Borussia Dortmund player ratings from defeat to RB Leipzig

Julian Brandt (4/10)

Julian Brandt is not a winger. This is a necessary point to take into consideration before any assessment of his performance is made. He was deployed at right wing while clearly lacking the pace or creative dribbling to pose much of a threat to keep the Leipzig defense on its heels.

Brandt is however known for his flashes of brilliance in regard to ball retention and passing. I say flashes because we’ve all seen the Jeckle and Hyde act played out over the course of Brandt’s time with Dortmund.

It would have been understandable, if not anticipated, to see him struggle to beat David Raum for pace but to see him lose possession on so many occasions and fail to seek out spaces to receive the ball is not. Indeed, that’s what he does best when he’s on his game. Something that he has been unable to demonstrate far too often so far in Dortmund colors.

Anthony Modeste (4/10)

Known for his physical presence and ability to provide an aerial threat, Anthomny Modeste got little to nothing in terms of service other than an opportunistic cross from Gio Reyna which would have required an inch-perfect left-footed volley. Some Dortmund supporters will rage at the signing of Modeste in hindsight. I would suggest that any expectation for Modeste, who’s made his living as a poacher, to suddenly become skilled in link-up play is farcical and unwarranted.

Modeste didn’t produce anything in this match that would alter the perception of his value to the club, but that blame should largely be placed on those who identified him as the ideal replacement for Sebastian Haller. Even after the introduction of Youssoufa Moukoko, Modeste looked pedestrian and isolated up front.

Marius Wolf (4/10)

Wolf is yet another example of a player who’s being thrown into a role on the wing that really doesn’t suit his skill set. He didn’t lack effort against Leipzig, but he did lack the tools to make Rose’s men think twice about any potential run being made in behind or amount to much of a playmaking threat.

Gio Reyna (6/10)

The American international made another appearance off the bench following an impressive display against Copenhagen midweek. Shortly after coming on, he provided one of the only real sparks in the match when he burst down the left sideline to play a ball into Modeste.

It was a finish that would have been quite difficult to pull off for the striker. If anything, Reyna’s brief cameo served as a further reminder that he needs to start matches at all costs unless match fitness prevents it. Reyna completed the highest total of accurate crosses despite only coming as a substitute (4).

Youssoufa Moukoko (6/10)

Moukoko came on as a sub in the 2nd half in a switch that everybody saw coming. The 17-year-old once again showed that he offers something that Modeste, and honestly the entire rest of Dortmund’s frontline, didn’t have.

You’ll at some point in the discussion have to concede that it’s understandable for Terzic to be hesitant to start such a young player in these types of games. However, we’ve seen this happen time and time again early on in this campaign. Modeste fails to impress, Moukoko comes on, doesn’t necessarily light the world on fire, but definitely gives you energetic and direct runs behind defenders that nobody else can at the moment.

Link-up play and ball retention with his back facing the goal are clear areas for development for Moukoko, as was displayed against a strong Leipzig defense, but he possesses a motor and natural finishing instincts that are lacking without his inclusion in the lineup.

Justin Njinmah (5/10)

Speaking of pace, Njinmah doesn’t lack much of it. What he can develop into remains to be seen, but it seems clear that his inclusion in the traveling squad was solely down to injuries. It’s unfair to judge a young player off such limited game time, therefore it seems appropriate to simply acknowledge the performance for what it was. His job was to come on and demonstrate energy and hunger for the ball that didn’t exist in the game. He should at least be credited for fulfilling that role.

Emre Can (5/10)

Emre Can entered the fray with little more than 3 minutes until the final whistle. With a result that was firmly in place, his substitution seemed to be one that was meant to do nothing more than ensure a 4th goal wasn’t conceded. Mission accomplished?