Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Borussia Dortmund: 5 Hits and Flops | Bundesliga 2019-20

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Mario Gotze in action against Frankfurt, where Dortmund dropped two points away from home
Mario Gotze in action against Frankfurt, where Dortmund dropped two points away from home

In a thrilling encounter at the Commerzbank-Arena, Borussia Dortmund were very unlucky not to take all three points with a 2-2 away draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, instead being forced to share the spoils.

Axel Witsel broke the deadlock after 11 minutes, as Jadon Sancho's initial effort was parried by Kevin Trapp into the Belgian's path. Just before half-time, Andre Silva equalised for the hosts after finishing a great passage of play. Djibril Sow's assist was all the Portugal international needed to find the net, firing an effort beyond Roman Burki into the top corner.

Sancho's goal midway through the second-half, his third league goal of the campaign, seemed as though it set the win in stone for BVB. A straightforward finish after Witsel's clever pass, he had previously squandered a close-range opportunity but made no mistake on this occasion.

However, late drama occurred as midfielder Thomas Delaney inadvertently directed the ball into his own net and levelled proceedings for a grateful Frankfurt side with two minutes plus stoppages left to play. Daichi Kamada, a second-half substitute for the hosts, struck towards Burki's goal but as Delaney did his best to clear the ball, he flicked it goalwards at point-blank range.

The result means Lucien Favre's men are a point behind Bayern Munich and two further adrift of Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig, now finding themselves in third place after five matchdays. Let's take a look at five players - three who played well, while two who struggled on this occasion:


#5 Hit: Andre Silva

Silva celebrates his first league goal of the 2019/20 campaign as Frankfurt earned a 2-2 draw vs. BVB
Silva celebrates his first league goal of the 2019/20 campaign as Frankfurt earned a 2-2 draw vs. BVB

Andre Silva was the cream of the crop for Frankfurt in this one. Not only did he persistently threaten Dortmund's backline, he was equally unselfish with possession and created a decent number of opportunities for teammates. His finish was one of the highest quality, helping his side secure a hard-fought draw up against stronger opposition.

The 23-year-old Portugal international completed four key passes during the 90 minutes, in addition to two successful dribbles. He won two aerial duels and was fouled on four separate occasions, while completing two tackles - more than two of Frankfurt's three-man backline - and two clearances.

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#4 Flop: Makoto Hasebe

Hasebe endured a tough evening's work against a BVB attack who exploited him at every turn
Hasebe endured a tough evening's work against a BVB attack who exploited him at every turn

The 35-year-old experienced Japanese defender endured a very poor day at the office. Arguably the worst defender on the field, he was almost certainly the worst performer overall.

Hasebe barely helped his defence achieve anything serious. He completed just two clearances, while Almamy Toure alongside him made six. With just one tackle and interception over the 90 minutes, he struggled to do anything else of note defensively.

In fact, he only won one aerial duel throughout. Martin Hinteregger had some frustrating moments defensively too, but won six aerial duels which helped his team save face at crucial intervals as Dortmund threatened.


#3 Hit: Thorgan Hazard

Hazard in action against a stubborn Frankfurt side, who he worked hard to regularly unlock their backline
Hazard in action against a stubborn Frankfurt side, who he worked hard to regularly unlock their backline

Thorgan Hazard proved a real headache for Frankfurt's three-man backline to deal with throughout this game. Constantly driving into channels, he sought out space and made a succession of important passes as well as successful dribbles through midfield. As a reward for his exciting display, the 26-year-old got himself an assist for Witsel's opener and proved an influential figure as Dortmund were forced to just take a single point home.

Completing three key passes and four dribbles, he was the only outfield player to neither control the ball poorly in possession or alternatively be dispossessed. Defensively, he completed four tackles - more than the combined total of forwards across the starting eleven.

#2 Flop: Mats Hummels

After an excellent performance in midweek, the experienced centre-back endured a forgettable outing here
After an excellent performance in midweek, the experienced centre-back endured a forgettable outing here

The experienced Germany international didn't enjoy one of his more memorable outings at the heart of Dortmund's backline and was rather unnoticed for large periods before being replaced near the hour mark for Dan-Axel Zagadou.

Hummels completed two tackles and one clearance in a relatively underwhelming defensive display by the 30-year-old, who committed three fouls and also walked the proverbial tightrope with a booking for half-an-hour prior to his substitution.

Other than that, he won three aerial duels - bested only by Delaney, who won four over the 90 minutes. His passing was largely quite accurate (90% completion rate), but his distribution didn't particularly yield much in terms of chances for teammates in-and-around the final third.


#1 Hit: Axel Witsel

Witsel celebrates his opener on an afternoon where he shone despite BVB relinquishing their lead twice
Witsel celebrates his opener on an afternoon where he shone despite BVB relinquishing their lead twice

The best player on the pitch here was 30-year-old midfielder Axel Witsel. Besides his goal and assist, the Belgium international was the game's best passer with 94.2% success rate accompanying his 65 successful passes over the 90 minutes. With 85 touches, he asserted himself as an important cog in Favre's midfield and helped inspire his team to victory.

Notably, he registered the most shots at goal (5) but only one was on target. With two key passes and interceptions alongside three aerial duels won, he orchestrated attacks from a holding role alongside Delaney while refusing to shy away from his defensive responsibilities.

An honourable mention goes to Jadon Sancho, who was as much a thorn in Frankfurt's defence as Witsel was. The pair partnered well and Witsel teed up the exciting Englishman to give them a lead, but ultimately one that would be cruelly ruined late on.

Stats' source: WhoScored

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