Arminia Bielefeld 0-2 Borussia Dortmund: Player Ratings as Hummels Brace Lifts BVB

Borussia Dortmund eased to a 2-0 triumph over the newly-promoted Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday afternoon, moving them up to second in the Bundesliga table.

BVB were the dominant force in the opening period but were thwarted by their compact hosts. Although, Manuel Akanji and Jadon Sancho both spurned golden opportunities.

Nevertheless, the just reward for their overwhelming superiority arrived swiftly after the restart as Mats Hummels bundled home Sancho's corner. BVB then began to create at a canter as Bielefeld failed to get out.

After squandering plenty of good openings, it was that man Hummels again who grabbed the visitors' second with a perfectly-placed header to secure a routine triumph for Lucien Favre's side.

Here are the Dortmund player ratings from Saturday afternoon.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Roman Burki (GK) - 6/10 - Virtual spectator.

Thomas Meunier (RB) - 4/10 - While he wasn't troubled from a defensive perspective, the Belgian struggled to provide a much-needed source of width down BVB's right and was pretty disastrous in possession throughout.

Manuel Akanki (CB) - 7/10 - Spurned Dortmund's chance of the first half from close range but it didn't prove costly. Wasn't too active in all phases against a tame Bielefeld attack but performed all his actions well.

Mats Hummels (CB) - 9/10 - The German's enjoyed a superb start to the campaign and his fine run of form continued here with a brace. So composed in his defensive work while frequently displaying ridiculous technique in possession. His outside of the boot pass to tee up Sancho for what should've been the opener was simply outrageous. Concerns over hamstring, though.

Felix Passlack (LB) - 7/10 - Pretty anonymous in the opening period before blossoming in the second. Looked dynamic and combination play helped BVB progress and create down the left.

2. Midfielders

Thomas Delaney (DM) - 7/10 - Performed his role efficiently in the middle of the park. Positionally immaculate but also willing to press higher up the field. The Dane handed greater freedom for Bellingham to advance and protected the BVB defence diligently.

Jude Bellingham (CM) - 8/10 - Dortmund have done it again. The former Birmingham starlet enjoyed his finest outing in BVB colours following his summer move. Combative, imposing, innovative and dynamic, Bellingham was seemingly everywhere on Saturday afternoon.

Jadon Sancho (RM) - 6/10 - While some of his work in one-v-one situations was exquisite, the England international was too erratic in his combination play and often succumbed possession in the final third. Brilliant set-piece delivery for the opener.

Julian Brandt (AM) - 7/10 - On the contrary, Brandt's ability to combine off one-touch was quite brilliant. Movement was smart and penetrative, while clever reverse pass teed up Hazard for a good chance just before the break.
Needs to be more ruthless in and around the box.

Thorgan Hazard (LM) - 5/10 - Typically looked to take up positions in the half space but wasn't heavily involved as much of BVB's play went through Sancho and Brandt. Indecisive in the final third.

3. Forward

Marco Reus (CF) - 6/10 - Rarely functioned in the central space with much of his work taking place in the left half space as he sought to combine with Hazard and Passlack. Influence increased after the break but was quiet overall.

4. Substitutes

Raphael Guerreiro - 6/10
Giovanni Reyna - 6/10
Axel Witsel - N/A
Reinier - N/A
Lukasz Piszczek - N/A