Plucky underdogs, Borussia Dortmund, found themselves 2-0 down to billionaire-backed Hoffenheim in the 60th minute. Most people were thinking "man, Dortmund are absolute garbage and all the players are talentless hacks". But not us Dortmund fans. We knew Hoffenheim would gift a turnover and an own goal in the final thirty minutes. Here at Fear the Wall, we are full of optimism and belief in our team even when the chips are down. Just look at this message of hope and optimism from the match thread:
Anyway, here's the MOTM contenders:
Half of us hated this guy last season but he is two-for-two this season with some welltaken goals. Dortmund's striker was quiet in the first half and frequently forced to drop back and facilitate passes to Dortmund's wings. The second half was a different story. A quick turnover in the Hoffenheim's defensive third found its way to Guirassy for a wonderful chipped goal to get Dortmund on the score sheet. He followed that up with a well weighted assist for Dortmund's equalizer. Great game from Serhou!
It's atypical to list a center-back as a man of the match contender in a match where your team concedes two goals but Anton was great. As the only center-back over 21, Anton dawned the captains armband and had to navigate his defense crumbling around him. Filippo Mane came off injured in the 31st minute and Svensson struggled as a makeshift center-back. Joane Gadou is obviously talented but often found himself out-of-position or two seconds too late in position. Anton on the other hand, delivered. He notched a team high 33 defensive contributions including 24 clearances, 7 interceptions, and 8 recoveries. Oh, he also had a lung-busting 40 yard run to win the ball in Hoffenheim's half which led to Dortmund's first goal.
Subs change games and Fabio Silva's introduction was a pivitol moment in this match.Konstantinos Karetsas struggled to create chances for himself or others. Silva, on the other hand, was eager to score. He notched Dortmund's second with a well taken shot at a tight angle. His pressing forced Hoffenheim to play over, rather than through, Dortmund's attack and was instrumental in the game-winner.
It was a match of two halves for Jobe. In the first half, he and Nmecha were being man-marked and outmatched by Hoffenheim's defense. The 20-year-old struggled to imprint himself in the first half but took it to another level in the second. He battled throughout midfield, was never dispossessed, and won 6 of his 7 duels. Dortmund's final goal highlights Jobe's all-action display. He fought for the ball in midfield alongside Svensson, played it to Nwaneri, and followed through by making a run into the top of the box.
Let us know who your MOTM was below!
