TSG Hoffenheim remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga, as a 10-man Borussia Dortmund side had to battle back to clinch a 2-2 draw. The Ruhr side's away woes continue as they dropped points for the sixth time in eight games on the road thus far.
Positives
Ousmane Dembele. The 19-year-old once again showed his brilliance and hinted at his stellar future. Dortmund will be happy to know he signed a deal lasting until 2021 without a release clause.
Winning the second half 1-0 with 10 men is surely a positive take away.
Negatives
A star spangled attack combined with a brittle defence makes this Dortmund team as top-heavy as a balancing rock. While balancing rocks are an attraction in nature, BVB are easily tipped over. The Black and Yellows conceded a cheap goal in the third minute, seeing them trail for the sixth time in eight games on the road. The obligatory set-piece goal was soon to follow.
Winning only two out of eight away matches has seen Dortmund fall out of the top four. They will need to improve their away form drastically in 2017 if they are to climb back up the table.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- That Dortmund won the second half being down to 10 men is also Thomas Tuchel's achievement, as his tactical change at half-time saw Dortmund create the better chances after the break even up against a full-strength Hoffenheim side.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Roman Weidenfeller, 4 -- Weidenfeller had his driver's licence revoked for three months for speeding. The radar traps stayed off this time, as he was hesitant coming out of his goal to defend the onrushing Mark Uth three minutes into the match. The Hoffenheim striker had no trouble rounding the 36-year-old to slot home. Weidenfeller also looked slow to get his arms up when Sandro Wagner flicked the ball over the keeper from close range to make it 2-1 in the 20th minute.
DF Matthias Ginter, 4 -- Clattered heads with Sandro Wagner early on in the game, kept Mark Uth onside in the third minute, as Hoffeheim's simple ball over the top of Dortmund's backline meant an easy first goal for the hosts.
DF Sven Bender, 5 -- Bender made his season debut following an injury at the Olympic tournament in Brazil. Was precitably sometimes half a step late to challenges. Was arguably fouled when Sandro Wagner bought himself the necessary space by pushing Bender away with both arms fully stretched to score a header in the 20th minute.
DF Marc Bartra, 4 -- Needs to set his clock from Spanish to German time, as his timing is off far too often.
MF Marcel Schmelzer, 6 -- Fielded as a wing-back and was on the end of two promising headers in the first half. In a more defensive role in the second half, he made some vital interventions to deny the hosts more momentum on Dortmund's left side.
MF Julian Weigl, 6 -- Good news is on the horizon for Dortmund as the 21-year-old is reportedly set to extend his contract until 2021 before the turn of the year. Against Hoffenheim he showed why that will be good news.
MF Christian Pulisic, 6 -- Deployed as a right wing-back, Pulisic was often released by his teammates with a prayer to create something on his own. Showed his overall understanding of the game as he relentlessly closed down passing lanes in the second half, with a more defensively minded shift.
MF Ousmane Dembele, 9 -- The 19-year-old was without a doubt the man of the match, picking up a couple of assists in breathtaking fashion. The France international proved to be a handful for the Hoffenheim defence that could only stop him with fouls. Dembele had to be carried off the field on a stretcher after 69 minutes, as the hosts successfully managed to take the youngster out of the game with a barrage of fouls.
MF Mario Gotze, 7 -- While Dembele did his magic up front, Gotze dropped back in a line with Weigl to support the 21-year-old in defensive midfield. The world champion's strategical mind proved to be an asset.
MF Marco Reus, 6 -- Was sent off for the first time in 209 Bundesliga matches for a second yellow. The 27-year-old was unlucky as Nadiem Amiri pulled Reus towards himself while chasing the ball down the field and was bundled over by Reus. Clever, but the officials should have done better. Reus' sending off changed the complexion of the game, as he marked the highest pass completion rate (92.9%) for Dortmund and created two chances before leaving in the 41st minute.
FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 7 -- The Gabonese striker hit a landmark, scoring his 100th goal in 164 games for the Ruhr side. Impressive.
Substitutes
MF Emre Mor, 6 -- Brought on for the injured Ousmane Dembele. Caused some trouble in the Hoffenheim backline with some wild runs himself.
FW Adrian Ramos, NR -- Brought on for the tiring Pulisic in the 83rd minute, but couldn't make a deciding play late in the game.
MF Mikel Merino, NR -- Introduced in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for only his second league appearance.