Match Ratings Ratings vs Dortmund

[Luka Van der Bale]

VDV too

Under Poch? Not a chance.

 

[walworthyid]

We played against a team who were about as good as it gets in terms of pressing, aggression, movement and technical ability. In the first half they were almost madrid/barcelona like in their play. Just mesmeric and certainly vastly superior to anything in the premier league. But, it comes at a cost! They could not defend! As Poch has realised, and Klopp has failed to, if you can't defend you won't get far. So as much as they dominated, really dominated, and we rode our luck, it was very evident that if we kept our heads there was something in it for us.

That is the crucial point and why the pundits talk about learning to play in Europe. A couple of seasons ago, last season even, there is no way that we win that game. Against city, utd, arsenal and chelsea at home last season we showed that we had learned to hold our nerve and beat the big teams. A big step in our development as a team who consistently challenges. But that is at home when playing well. Its a very different ball game when you are being bitch slapped all over the park and are unable to play to your strengths. Against Dortmund, we showed a new level of maturity, of self-belief and confidence. We never panicked, we never looked overwhelmed. We simply adjusted to what was happening and stuck to it. We beat one of the best teams in Europe, a team that could quite reasonably expect to reach the quarters or semis this season. If they were to knock out a barcalona, madrid, bayern or Juve it wouldn't be a huge shock. They really are that good and we beat them!

As for the players, Kane and Vertonghen were both imperious. Absolute quality. Toby and Davies were again top class. Last ditch tackles, great positioning and determination. Aurier and Sanchez are exactly what we needed. Amazing athletes who can play. They have that arrogance and belief that they belong at the highest level. Great acquisitions who will only get better.

Eriksen grew into the game and shows why he is so important and, in my opinion, why he is better than both Countinho or Ozil.

Dier and Dembele had a tough job. They were overrun in the first half but as Dortmund slowed and lost belief, so they began to win that battle.

Son did what he does. Not a perfect player simply because of the way that he plays, but he is a constant threat. His goal was brilliant and vital.

The subs were decent. Llorente will be good and even Sissoko looks like he has learned to control himself to some extent and now actually comes on and performs a useful function. Still an awful player though in my opinion.

Overall, it was a huge win. Massive. A statement both in Europe and in the league. We are back in business.

 

[Bulletspur]

I know the goal scorers usually get the MOTM vote but the real stars were the back 5.

Not on this forum. You will see posters take different views and while they may give the goal scorer on merit, they will also not give him if in their opinion someone else was more deserving, irrespective of who. Against Everton Sissoko was up there in the votes ranking but he has never scored for us!

 

[double0]

We played against a team who were about as good as it gets in terms of pressing, aggression, movement and technical ability. In the first half they were almost madrid/barcelona like in their play. Just mesmeric and certainly vastly superior to anything in the premier league. But, it comes at a cost! They could not defend! As Poch has realised, and Klopp has failed to, if you can't defend you won't get far. So as much as they dominated, really dominated, and we rode our luck, it was very evident that if we kept our heads there was something in it for us.

That is the crucial point and why the pundits talk about learning to play in Europe. A couple of seasons ago, last season even, there is no way that we win that game. Against city, utd, arsenal and chelsea at home last season we showed that we had learned to hold our nerve and beat the big teams. A big step in our development as a team who consistently challenges. But that is at home when playing well. Its a very different ball game when you are being bitch slapped all over the park and are unable to play to your strengths. Against Dortmund, we showed a new level of maturity, of self-belief and confidence. We never panicked, we never looked overwhelmed. We simply adjusted to what was happening and stuck to it. We beat one of the best teams in Europe, a team that could quite reasonably expect to reach the quarters or semis this season. If they were to knock out a barcalona, madrid, bayern or Juve it wouldn't be a huge shock. They really are that good and we beat them!

As for the players, Kane and Vertonghen were both imperious. Absolute quality. Toby and Davies were again top class. Last ditch tackles, great positioning and determination. Aurier and Sanchez are exactly what we needed. Amazing athletes who can play. They have that arrogance and belief that they belong at the highest level. Great acquisitions who will only get better.

Eriksen grew into the game and shows why he is so important and, in my opinion, why he is better than both Countinho or Ozil.

Dier and Dembele had a tough job. They were overrun in the first half but as Dortmund slowed and lost belief, so they began to win that battle.

Son did what he does. Not a perfect player simply because of the way that he plays, but he is a constant threat. His goal was brilliant and vital.

The subs were decent. Llorente will be good and even Sissoko looks like he has learned to control himself to some extent and now actually comes on and performs a useful function. Still an awful player though in my opinion.

Overall, it was a huge win. Massive. A statement both in Europe and in the league. We are back in business.

We have to beat Swansea to make it count. So that it reads EPL (W) CL (W) EPL (W)