Borussia Dortmund 1-2 FC Koln: Player Ratings as BVB Fall to Shock Defeat

Borussia Dortmund were stunned by Koln on Saturday afternoon
Borussia Dortmund were stunned by Koln on Saturday afternoon / Pool/Getty Images
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Borussia Dortmund slipped to defeat against a Koln side who hadn't won since March on Saturday afternoon, as they lost ground to Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Jadon Sancho saw his early effort cannon off the crossbar as BVB started brightly before the visitors took a shock lead through Ellyes Skhiri, who tapped home from Ondrej Duda's in-swinging corner.

Koln continued to blunt the hosts and were able to double their advantage in an almost identical manner to how they grabbed their first, with Skhiri once again the goalscorer.

The introductions of teenagers Giovanni Reyna and Youssoufa Moukoko added some much-needed thrust to a tepid Dortmund display, as Lucien Favre switched from a 4-2-3-1 to almost an aggressive 3-1-6.

Thorgan Hazard halved the deficit with a cooly-taken effort but Koln were able to cling on after Erling Braut Haaland spurned a golden opportunity in the dying embers.

Let's get into some Dortmund player ratings.


1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Manuel Akanji didn't disgrace himself in the defeat
Manuel Akanji didn't disgrace himself in the defeat / Pool/Getty Images

Roman Burki (GK) - 5/10 - Could do little to prevent Koln's two efforts and the visitors rarely created.

Thomas Meunier (RB) - 5/10 - Once again underwhelmed at both ends of the pitch, with young Ismail Jakobs proving a tough assignment. Hobbled off in the second period.

Manuel Akanji (CB) - 7/10 - Dortmund's centre-backs were fine amid a horrible display from the hosts. The Swiss defender read the game nicely, impressed at transitions and was progressive in possession.

Mats Hummels (CB) - 7/10 -
Similar to Akanji only the German proved a threat in Koln box also, having a goal ruled out. Hummels continues to be Dortmund's most consistent performer.

Felix Passlack (LB) - 5/10 - It's fair to say the downgrade from Guerreiro to Passlack is stark. Almost incompetent in the final third.


2. Midfielders

Sancho looks like he'll soon be taking up a beat-boxing career
Sancho looks like he'll soon be taking up a beat-boxing career / LEON KUEGELER/Getty Images

Emre Can (DM) - 6/10 - Returned to the pivot for the first time this season amid Lucien Favre's switch to a 4-2-3-1. The German didn't look entirely comfortable higher upfield and settled in as part of the back three later on in proceedings.

Axel Witsel (DM) - 5/10 - His indifferent season continued. Tidy enough in possession but lacked progression and invention. Looks like he can be easily got at from a defensive perspective at the moment.

Julian Brandt (RM) - 4/10 -
Non-existent today. Simply has to be more consistent and stamp his authority on games if he's to evolve into a star at Dortmund.

Marco Reus (AM) - 6/10 - Movement was characteristically crafty and he combined nicely in the half-spaces at times. Certainly one of the hosts' better performers.

Jadon Sancho (LM) - 5/10 - The England international looked bright in one-v-one's but final pass and combination play were both poor. Functioned fluidly in the final third.


3. Forward

Erling Braut Haaland snatched at his only sight of goal
Erling Braut Haaland snatched at his only sight of goal / Pool/Getty Images

Erling Braut Haaland (ST) - 5/10 - Snatched at his right-footed effort in the opening period which proved his only sight of goal before that last-gasp blunder. Koln's three centre-backs marshalled him expertly.


4. Substitutes

16-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko made a difference following his introduction
16-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko made a difference following his introduction / Pool/Getty Images

Thorgan Hazard - 6/10 - Took his goal splendidly.

Giovanni Reyna - 6/10 -
Combined nicely with Moukoko before setting up Hazard for Dortmund's goal.

Youssoufa Moukoko - 6/10 -
Bright and played a hand in BVB's goal too.