Borussia Dortmund's dire form continued, as they were unable to beat FC Augsburg on Tuesday night. The 1-1 draw does mean that Dortmund end 2016 without a loss this calendar year at the Westfalenstadion.
Positives
The most positive news came before the match started with midfielder Julian Weigl announcing that he has penned a new deal until 2021. Any contract extension for a promising youngster is huge news for the club that is still struggling to keep hold of its assets each summer.
Negatives
When the referee ended the match, it was not the final whistle, as Dortmund fans made air of their discontent. They've now witnessed their team go winless in four consecutive games across all competitions, which will eventually spurn discontent from even the most loyal supporters in a club with the ambitions of BVB's.
In the last match of 2016, Dortmund looked like a team on their first day of the season. Very raw in their passing, full of miscommunication and failing to recognise each other's runs. The winter training camp cannot come fast enough for this team.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- Thomas Tuchel opted for a back three with ball playing centre-backs in Mikel Merino and Marc Bartra surging into midfield to create opportunities. It might be the right idea, but the result begs to differ.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Roman Weidenfeller, 4 -- The less is said about his performance the better. A shaky Weidenfeller nearly sealed a Dortmund loss, playing the ball right into the path of Halil Altintop. Whether Dortmund will add another year to his contract is up for discussion.
DF Matthias Ginter, 5 -- Tuchel seems to have found a suitable position for Ginter, fielding him as the right centre-back of a back-three. Though he had his faults in Augsburg's goal, switching off.
DF Mikel Merino, 5 -- The 20-year-old showed it was only his second start in this match, but also why Dortmund signed him in the first place. Nervy moments alternated with flashes of brilliance as he pushed forward with the ball in order to create attacking momentum.
DF Marc Bartra, 3 -- "A shocker" is what would describe his first half. He cleared the ball almost as often to the opponent as he did to his own players. He rightfully stayed in the locker room after the break.
MF Marcel Schmelzer, 6 -- The captain bemoaned after the match that opponents find it relatively easy to create chances from turnovers. As the left-wing back he often saw the chances develop without time to get into a defensive position.
MF Julian Weigl, 5 -- The contract extension didn't give Weigl the boost he had hoped for, as he too often shied away from turning around towards the opponent's goal with time and space at hand. The fear of producing a risky turnover seems to be lingering in the back of his head.
MF Christian Pulisic, 5 -- Yet again deployed as a right wing-back, Pulisic was ordered to hug the touchline. He had a couple of surging runs, skipping past defenders but didn't yield any fruit.
MF Mario Gotze, 6 -- Hit the post in the 9th minute and once again dropped deep numerous times to make the play in behind the attack. Gotze is on track to become an unsung hero for the Black and Yellows, although expectations dictate different output upfront.
MF Shinji Kagawa, 6 -- Played the assist for Dortmund's equaliser, but could have done so much more with his talents. Once again, frustration
MF Ousmane Dembele, 8 -- Three goals and three assists in the last six Bundesliga matches are the byproduct of Ousmane Dembele's individual magic. One could argue the Black and Yellows are starting to become overly reliant on the skills of the 19-year-old. Even more than Gotze, the French international started his dribbles deep in the centre to break the lines in what often looks like a one-man attack.
FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 -- He wasn't shy of service on Tuesday, but couldn't find his 101st goal for the Ruhr side.
Substitutes
DF Sven Bender, 6 -- Showed the resoluteness at the back Bartra didn't. Tuchel said after the game that it would have been irresponsible to start Bender, but he was fit enough for 45 minutes.
MF Gonzalo Castro, NR -- Brought on for an unlucky Kagawa. Didn't have any more luck, though.
MF Andre Schurrle, NR -- Introduced in the 81st minute for Ousmane Dembele, Schurrle huffed and puffed but lacked the necessary precision in his passing.