Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Werder Bremen Player Ratings: Marcel Sabitzer 9.0/10 stars as Die Schwarzgelben Outclass Werder Bremen

Borussia Dortmund came into the Bundesliga clash full of confidence, and they lived up to expectations with a commanding 3–0 win over Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park. Sitting firmly among the league’s frontrunners, Dortmund were clear favourites, and from the starting minute, it was evident they wanted to establish their dominance early.

The breakthrough arrived quickly.

Captain Nico Schlotterbeck rose highest in the 11th minute, powering home a header that set the tone for the rest of the contest. Werder Bremen attempted to respond, but their build-up play lacked quality, and they found it difficult to bypass Dortmund’s compact and disciplined defensive shape.

After the interval, Dortmund tightened their grip on the match. Marcel Sabitzer doubled the lead, capping off an influential display in midfield and effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Bremen comeback.

From there, Die Schwarzgelben controlled proceedings with authority, combining patient possession with sharp attacking transitions. It was a professional performance that underlined Dortmund’s dominance in the Bundesliga. Let’s take a closer look at the Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Dortmund asserted control early, with Schlotterbeck’s 11th-minute goal setting the tone for a dominant display.

• Werder Bremen struggled to create chances, repeatedly stalled by Dortmund’s organised defence.

• Midfield superiority decided the game, as Sabitzer’s influence after the break killed any comeback hopes.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs Werder Bremen

Let's delve deeper into the Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel - 7.5: Had a relatively quiet evening but was sharp when called upon. What stood out to us was his crucial save against Njinmah in the first half which was a key moment. He commanded his area with authority. His distribution was solid, starting several attacks from the back. A confident performance from the shot-stopper.

Defenders

Waldemar Anton - 7.0: A steady and reliable presence at the back. He didn't do anything spectacular, but he didn't need to. He won most of his duels and was positionally sound throughout the match. From our perspective, he was a key part of why Bremen struggled to create clear openings. He almost got on the scoresheet himself with a late header.

Nico Schlotterbeck - 8.5: A true captain's display. He set the tone with a powerful header for the opening goal. Defensively, he was a rock, reading the game beautifully and making important challenges. His passing from the back was progressive and helped launch attacks. A complete performance and a contender for man of the match.

Niklas Süle - 5.0: A difficult first half for the big defender. He looked a bit off the pace and picked up a clumsy yellow card for a needless foul. It wasn't a surprise to see him substituted at halftime. He seemed to struggle with the movement of Bremen's forwards and lost a few duels he'd normally win.

Midfielders

Yan Couto - 7.0: Full of energy on the right flank. He was a constant outlet for his team, with his impressive pass accuracy keeping possession ticking over. He defended diligently, winning his tackles and tracking back well. What stood out was his willingness to take players on and support the attack whenever possible.

Felix Nmecha - 8.0: The creative heart of the team. He was instrumental in the second goal, providing a perfectly weighted assist for Sabitzer. His vision and passing range were on full display, creating three chances for his teammates. He was a nightmare for the Bremen midfield to handle, drifting into pockets of space and dictating play.

Marcel Sabitzer - 9.0: Our Man of the Match. An absolutely outstanding performance. He scored the crucial second goal and was a dynamic force in the midfield from start to finish. His energy was infectious, covering every blade of grass, and his quality on the ball was undeniable. Despite the yellow card, his contribution was simply immense.

Julian Ryerson - 7.5: Provided a pinpoint cross for the opening goal, showcasing his attacking quality. He was defensively sound and worked tirelessly down the left side before being substituted. We noticed his intelligent positioning, which allowed him to contribute effectively at both ends of the pitch. A very good shift.

Forwards

Maximilian Beier - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the forward. He was active and got into some good positions, but his finishing was wayward. He registered three shots but couldn't convert, including missing a big chance. His movement caused problems, but the lack of end product was disappointing from our perspective.

Carney Chukwuemeka - 6.5: A mixed bag. He showed some nice touches and was involved in the build-up play, but often faded out of the game for periods. He seemed to lack the decisiveness needed in the final third. A decent performance but you were left wanting more from him.

Fábio Silva - 7.0: Didn't get on the scoresheet, but he was a real handful. His link-up play was excellent, creating four chances for his teammates. He battled hard with the Bremen defenders, drawing them out of position and creating space for others. He just couldn't find that goal his hard work deserved.

Substitutes

No substitutes for Borussia Dortmund were rated in this match.

Manager

N. Kovač - 8.5: His game plan was executed to perfection. The team started on the front foot and the early goal was a direct result of his tactical setup. His decision to replace Süle at halftime was decisive and correct. He completely out-managed his opposite number, ensuring his team remained in control for the full 90 minutes.

Werder Bremen Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Here are more details on the Werder Bremen Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mio Backhaus - 6.5: It's never easy to concede three goals, but it could have been far worse without him. He made a couple of really good saves, particularly one from a fierce Sabitzer shot. He couldn't do much about the goals. His distribution was decent under pressure. A tough day at the office for him.

Defenders

Amos Pieper - 5.0: A difficult night defined by a costly error leading to a goal. While he made a high number of tackles and interceptions, that single mistake put his team on the back foot. He battled hard but was part of a defensive unit that was consistently pulled apart by Dortmund's sharp movement. He will be disappointed.

Karim Coulibaly - 5.5: He saw a lot of the ball but struggled to contain the fluid Dortmund attack. From our perspective, he was often too passive in his defending. He was okay in possession but offered little resistance against the home side's relentless pressure. A challenging experience for the defender.

Marco Friedl - 5.5: As captain, he tried to organize his backline, but they were simply overwhelmed. He made a few important blocks, but was also dribbled past on a couple of occasions. He was caught out of position for the second goal. A very tough assignment against a top-tier attack.

Midfielders

Yukinari Sugawara - 4.5: A performance to forget. We noticed he lost possession an alarming 14 times, which is just too high at this level. He offered very little going forward and was a liability defensively. From our perspective, he was the worst performer on the pitch and struggled to make any positive impact on the game.

Jens Stage - 5.0: The game largely passed him by. He was completely overrun in the midfield battle, unable to disrupt Dortmund's rhythm. He worked hard but was chasing shadows for most of the match. He couldn't impose his physicality on the game at all.

Senne Lynen - 5.5: He completed a lot of passes but most of them were safe and sideways. He failed to provide any defensive screen for his back four and was often bypassed with ease. Like his midfield partners, he was second best throughout the contest. He looked lost at sea.

Isaac Schmidt - 6.0: One of the few Bremen players to show some fight. He worked hard, recovered the ball eight times and made three interceptions. However, he still struggled to cope with Dortmund's attackers and was dribbled past twice. A commendable effort in a losing cause.

Forwards

Justin Njinmah - 6.5: Bremen's most dangerous player by a mile. He was the only one who truly tested the keeper, forcing two saves from Kobel. He looked sharp and willing to run at the defense. Unfortunately, he received very little support from his teammates and had to create his own chances.

Marco Grüll - 6.0: He was effective at drawing fouls and tried to link up play, but his end product was lacking. Both of his shots were off target, squandering the few opportunities his team had. He worked hard but couldn't provide the spark his team desperately needed in the final third.

Romano Schmid - 5.5: Created one big chance but was incredibly wasteful in possession, losing the ball 21 times. For an attacking player, that's simply not good enough. His decision-making was poor, and he struggled to make an impact against a resolute Dortmund defense.

Substitutes

No substitutes for Werder Bremen were rated in this match.

Manager

H. Steffen - 5.0: His team looked out of their depth from the very first whistle. The tactical setup was all wrong, leaving them exposed at the back and toothless in attack. He failed to make any adjustments that could change the flow of the game. A very disappointing day for him and his side.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Marcel Sabitzer of Borussia Dortmund

Worst Performer

Yukinari Sugawara was the worst performer in the Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen clash.