Lucien Favre, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by Martin Meissner/Pool via Getty Images)
It was an emphatic display from Borussia Dortmund as they beat their rivals 4-0. However, which players impressed the most for Lucien Favre?
The Borussia Dortmund got back underway in fine form this afternoon, as Borussia Dortmund hosted their rivals Schalke in front of an empty Signal Iduna Park. However, the action certainly wasn’t affected by the lack of atmosphere.
Well, this is true for one side, I must say, as the Revier derby was completely one-sided (which is never usually the case). The hosts won by a scoreline of 4-0, with Erling Haaland and Thorgan Hazard on the scoreline, with Raphael Guerreiro getting a brace.
So, the excitement was certainly still there, but how did the individuals perform? Buckle up, as I bring you my first player ratings in what feels like 78 years…
Roman Burki – 7/10
Roman Burki was untested but he can come away from the Revier derby with a clean sheet which is a rare occasion. In all honesty, though, he would have expected it. The Schalke attack was poor in the leadup to the Coronavirus break, and it showed in this match. A clean sheet for Burki, and it was probably the easiest clean sheet he’ll get for the rest of his career.
Roman Burki</a> was untested but he can come away from the Revier derby with a clean sheet which is a rare occasion. In all honesty, though, he would have expected it. The Schalke attack was poor in the leadup to the Coronavirus break, and it showed in this match. A clean sheet for Burki, and it was probably the easiest clean sheet he’ll get for the rest of his career.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defenders - Akanji shines in a back three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481255" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1206551184-850x560.jpeg" alt="Borussia Dortmund" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Manuel Akanji, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Mats Hummels – 7/10</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/05d548d8/Mats-Hummels?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Mats Hummels</a> put in another good shift, which is to be expected of him given his experience in the Revier derby. He had a few positive involvements when it came to set pieces and corners but other than that, the Dortmund defence was relatively untested, which can only be a good thing of course.</p>
<h3>Lukasz Piszczek – 7/10</h3>
<p>Again, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fe2db476/Lukasz-Piszczek?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Lukasz Piszczek</a> had a solid performance although he was untested. In all honesty, I feel like the Dortmund defenders, particularly those more experienced, will feel a little disappointed that there wasn’t an ounce of competition from their local rivals. Still, Piszczek did what he needed to do when he needed to do it.</p>
<h3>Manuel Akanji – 7.5/10</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/89ac64a6/Manuel-Akanji?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Manuel Akanji</a> certainly didn’t look out of place in the back-three, nor did he do anything to jeopardise Dortmund’s excellent defensive display. The 24-year-old has become a regular for Dortmund this season and since this was my first time watching him, I was eager to see how he plays.</p>
<p>And I can definitely see why Dortmund deploy him. He was excellent at cutting out the limited counter-attacks that Schalke had and he’s also a fine passer of the ball which helps Favre when trying to play out from the back. A fine performance from the Swiss international.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders - Is that Guerreiro or Roberto Carlos?! </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481256" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1213174870-850x560.jpeg" alt="Borussia Dortmund" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Raphael Guerreiro, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by Martin Meissner/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Achraf Hakimi – 8/10</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e42d61c7/Achraf-Hakimi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Achraf Hakimi</a> was rapid and he really set the tone of the match in the first half. While Dortmund were slow to get off the mark, Hakimi showed little signs of rust. Being a 21-year-old playing in an experienced defence puts you at danger of looking out of place, but Hakimi certainly did not.</p>
<p>He threatened in the first half but he looked defensively solid throughout the match too, making him a standout performer in my opinion</p>
<h3>Thomas Delaney – 7/10</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fe641c1a/Thomas-Delaney?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Thomas Delaney</a> was involved in the third goal as he won the ball back in the Schalke midfield, starting the counter-attack. This was pretty much indicative of Delaney’s performance. Although he did not set the world alight and he won’t get credit, his job was one of the most important in the Dortmund midfield, as it often is.</p>
<p>Lucien Favre can be happy with the performance of the Danish international, as he may start to get more chances in the starting XI towards the end of the season.</p>
<h3>Mahmoud Dahoud – 5/10</h3>
<p>A very average performance from <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a167537f/Julian-Brandt?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Mahmoud Dahoud</a> and even this is a compliment, I feel. The Germany international has been given many opportunities to break into Favre’s starting XI but again, he has failed to make an impression.</p>
<p>Countless wayward passes and giving the ball away in the midfield won’t sit nicely with Favre, and he will soon have more competition in the midfield so I doubt Dahoud has done anything to solidify his position.</p>
<h3>Raphael Guerreiro – 9/10</h3>
<p>Raphael Guerreiro himself probably didn’t expect to come away from this game but that’s exactly what he did. His first, which was Dortmund’s second, was an excellent across-goal shot that came as an exploitation of a Schalke mistake (no surprise there).</p>
<p>Then, in the second half, he added salt to the wounds by scoring a second and capping off the win for BVB. He played a nice one-two with Haaland and scored with the outside of his left-boot which, in my opinion, was the most impressive goal of the game. Well done, Guerreiro!</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Attackers - Brandt played a blinder </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481257" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1213174318-850x560.jpeg" alt="Borussia Dortmund" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by MARTIN MEISSNER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Thorgan Hazard – 8/10</h3>
<p>Thorgan Hazard actually came into the starting XI late on since he was not part of Favre’s plans, but the injury to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/7fa4e703/Giovanni-Reyna?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Giovanni Reyna</a> was a blessing in disguise since Hazard was one of the best players on the pitch.</p>
<p>He got a goal and an assist to his name, assisting the first goal for Dortmund via a lovely-weighted cross to Haaland. His goal was impressive too since Dortmund played on the counter-attack and Hazard oozed confidence as he took the shot on early. Some nice stuff from the late addition.</p>
<h3>Erling Haaland – 8/10</h3>
<p>Erling Haaland provided some excitement to worldwide viewers, as he often does for Dortmund. It was his first Revier derby and he capped it off with a nice finish to get the game going when in all honesty, Dortmund looked rusty at this point. The ball seemed to roll off his foot expertly and it dumbfounded <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/289b90cd/Markus-Schubert?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Markus Schubert</a> in net.</p>
<h3>Julian Brandt – 8.5/10</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a167537f/Julian-Brandt?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Julian Brandt</a> was exceptional early on and he was one of the main reasons why Dortmund got a firm grip of the game in the first half. He was involved in the first goal by producing a terrific flick through to Hazard who did the rest.</p>
<p>He then went on to produce two assists of his own, two perfectly-timed through balls, one to Guerreiro and the other to Hazard to essentially secure the three points for Dortmund.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes and manager - Lucien Favre masterclass </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481258" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1206551191-850x560.jpeg" alt="Borussia Dortmund" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>MANAGER: Lucien Favre – 10/10</h3>
<p>A clean sheet and four goals. What more could a manager want? The thing that I like most about Favre is that he gives players a chance, and that he did today. He will be frustrated by the performance of Dahoud but he was replaced anyway. I learned a lot about his side today but Favre knew it.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>It takes a real manager to get your side fired up with everything that’s going on in the world and he did exactly that today, perhaps even making a statement to Bayern Munich in the process. They are on the Bavarian’s tails prepared to pounce on any mistake.</p>
<h3>SUB: Jadon Sancho – 6.5/10</h3>
<p>When <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/dbf053da/Jadon-Sancho?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Jadon Sancho</a> was brought on, the game was essential over anyway. He had a few good touches to remind the supporters he is back in business but he will surely start in the next match to get his tally back on track.</p>
<h3>SUB: Mario Gotze – N/A</h3>
<p>Average from <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9efa1d25/Mario-Gotze?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Mario Gotze</a>, although he wasn’t given enough time to warrant a fair enough rating.</p>
<h3>SUB: Marcel Schmelzer – N/A</h3>
<p>Came on to replace the brace-king Guerreiro with HUGE boots to fill. I’m kidding, of course. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/89565ac5/Marcel-Schmelzer?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Marcel Schmelzer</a> did well but it would be unjust to give him a rating given the amount of time he had on the pitch.</p>
<h3>SUB: Leonardo Balerdi – 7/10</h3>
<p>Came on to replace the lacklustre Dahoud and within just minutes of his arrival, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://fbref.com/en/players/7c3ed041/Leonardo-Balerdi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Leonardo Balerdi</a> improved the Dortmund midfield. A good display from him.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 Dortmund players that impressed the most this season" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/04/12/5-borussia-dortmund-players-impressed/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/05/16/borussia-dortmund-schalke-player-ratings/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/04/12/5-borussia-dortmund-players-impressed/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 Dortmund players that impressed the most this season </a> </div>
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<p>Who impressed you the most for Dortmund in his emphatic win?</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">