BVB vs. VfB Stuttgart: Player Ratings & Analysis | Bundesliga Matchday 28

For a significant portion of the 28th Bundesliga matchday, specifically 94 out of 97 minutes, it appeared that Borussia Dortmund would have to settle for a goalless draw against VfB Stuttgart. However, in the dying minutes, Dortmund managed to score twice. Notably, only substitutes were involved in both of these late goals.

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Gregor Kobel

Gregor Kobel proved alert in the 13th minute, confidently catching a long-range shot from Führich. He later parried another attempt from Führich after Bensebaini lost the ball in midfield and also thwarted another promising Stuttgart opportunity. While it's true that Stuttgart's first-half chances had potential, they weren't excessively dangerous. Nevertheless, Kobel was inadvertently Dortmund's busiest player in the first half. Rating: 2.5

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Waldemar Anton

At his former home ground, Waldemar Anton was booed almost every time he touched the ball. This might have been related to his rather disappointing pass completion rate of just over 60 percent in the first half and his numerous turnovers. He was, however, the only Dortmund player to register a shot on target in the first half. Rating: 4

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Nico Schlotterbeck

Although coach Niko Kovac was displeased that Nico Schlotterbeck had indirectly linked his hesitation regarding a contract extension with Sebastian Kehl's departure from BVB, Schlotterbeck, as expected, started the match – he is, after all, considered Dortmund's strongest central defender. He boasted the best pass completion rate among all BVB players and effectively marshaled the defensive line. While Stuttgart may have been the more dominant team, Schlotterbeck's performance contributed to the home side's inability to create genuine goal-scoring threats. Rating: 3

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Ramy Bensebaini

Midway through the first half, Ramy Bensebaini carelessly lost the ball at the halfway line to Nikolas Nartey, leading to tumultuous scenes in Dortmund's penalty area. Stuttgart managed to get one shot on Kobel's goal and continued to pose a threat until Deniz Undav was finally dispossessed by three Dortmund players. Otherwise, Bensebaini's performance was largely error-free, and he was one of the few Dortmund players to attempt a shot on goal. Rating: 3.5

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Julian Ryerson

As Stuttgart predominantly attacked down his flank, Julian Ryerson predictably had his hands full and little respite. He lost a noticeable number of balls and completed just over half of his passes to teammates. Rating: 4.5

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Carney Chukwuemeka

The new Austrian international, Carney Chukwuemeka, initially played with a bit too much vigor and almost over-motivation in central midfield, for instance, when he jostled Finn Jeltsch during a pressing attempt in the fifth minute. He was also somewhat fortunate to only receive a yellow card for his foul on Nartey in the 25th minute. Although the foul itself wasn't brutal, it unfortunately hit Nartey on the ankle; had Nartey needed to be substituted, a red card might have been considered. Nevertheless, Chukwuemeka could not be accused of lacking effort; in first-half stoppage time, he registered one of the few almost dangerous Dortmund actions with a low shot during an otherwise weak half. Rating: 4

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham was another BVB player about whom one wondered for a long time whether he would even be involved in the game. Nevertheless, he engaged in the most duels of all Dortmund players and also had the most touches of the ball. However, he usually played his passes very short and sideways, and even then, he was far from error-free. He was present and fulfilled his role, but he couldn't decisively help the flow of the game. Rating: 4

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Daniel Svensson

Daniel Svensson undoubtedly showed commitment, ran a lot, and at times was fully engaged in preventing Deniz Undav from scoring. However, he lost almost all of his footraces, and his tackle success rate was also unconvincing. There is clear room for improvement. Rating: 4

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Marcel Sabitzer

Initially, Marcel Sabitzer surprisingly lined up not in central midfield but on the right wing. However, this positioning became less significant due to Dortmund's cautious, almost passive style of play. Although he was among the better Dortmund players, he also contributed little to making the game more dynamic. Rating: 4

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Serhou Guirassy

As Serhou Guirassy received hardly any balls upfront, he participated in defensive duties. After about half an hour, he headed the ball out of the penalty area and appeared so dazed afterward that referee Robert Schröder only allowed him to continue after a brief check. Although he was ineffective offensively in Stuttgart: Should he indeed leave BVB in the summer, it would certainly not alleviate the concerns for new manager Ole Book, as BVB already has several squad issues. Rating: 5

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Maximilian Beier

Maximilian Beier was present on the field in the first half but registered a mere six touches and completed only one of his three passes to a teammate. Positively: He showed significant running effort but was too rarely in positions where he could be played the ball. In the 72nd minute, he was substituted for Julian Brandt. Rating: 5

BVB, Player Ratings for Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: Substitutes

Fabio Silva: Came on in the 63rd minute for Guirassy. Shortly after his introduction, his direct opponent Ramon Hendriks received a yellow card for holding. Silva then became somewhat less conspicuous, narrowly missing a promising cross from Karim Adeyemi in the closing stages, but ultimately assisted Brandt's 2-0 goal. Rating: 3

Karim Adeyemi: Replaced Chukwuemeka and repeatedly had to assist in defense. He was fortunate that the referee team didn't notice him stepping on Nartey's foot. He received his yellow card in the 80th minute, meaning he will be suspended next week against Leverkusen. In Stuttgart, however, he secured the victory for Dortmund in the 94th minute with their first real scoring opportunity. Rating: 2

Julian Brandt: Came on in the 72nd minute for Maxi Beier. He initially played quite robustly before assisting Adeyemi's 1-0 goal in stoppage time and then scoring the 2-0 himself. Niko Kovac showed a golden touch with his substitutions. No rating (due to insufficient time on the field for a comprehensive assessment).