Fluminense 0-0 Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings: Group F Opens With Goalless Draw as Bundesliga Giants Share Points

Fluminense played Borussia Dortmund out for a goalless draw at the MetLife Stadium in the group F opener at the FIFA Club World Cup. In a game of plenty of chances, there were no finishing touches as both midfield and defense impressed.

Fluminense started the Club World Cup game brightly as Arias was in the mood for some action. The Colombian had two chances to open the scoring early on. First, he dragged his shot high, and the second was saved well by the keeper. The Brazilian side's midfield stood out in particular as they interchanged regularly and passed the ball well around Borussia Dortmund. They had a couple of good chances from outside the box as well. Dortmund struggled to find some rhythm early on as their attack struggled. Later in the half, they found their groove by getting Adeyemi into the game. But there was no goal separating these sides as the game went into the break.

Agustin Canobbio only had to place the ball into the net to open the scoring, but he found Gregor Kobel in the opening minutes of the second half on a break. Kobel was the saviour for Dortmund yet again as he parried Everaldo's shot from outside the box before blocking Nonato's follow-up, making a fine double save. Fluminense were desperately pushing for a winner as the game turned into a basketball match, shifting between the two ends. However, there was no breaking the deadlock as they shared points.

Here are the Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings.

Fluminense Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Goalkeeper

Fabio-7/10

Had no saves to make in the first half, but he was really impressive when he came off the line to claim some loose balls. He was there to make sure that the job was done late on.

Defenders

Samuel Xavier-7.5/10

Put a shift in attack as he was constantly providing width and playing fine exchanges to run in behind the opposition. Even defensively, he showed the same energy.

Thiago Silva-7.5/10

The 40-year-old proved class was permanent as he made life difficult for Guirassy. Despite losing a yard of pace, he made it up with his game sense and positioning.

Juan Freytes-7/10

He was alert to dangers as the wingers kept taking turns to run at him. Played out of the back with great comfort to set his side up.

Rene-7/10

When his centre-backs were beaten rarely, he was there to put out some fires. One such block on Adeyemi was absolutely crucial

Midfielders

Nonato-7.5/10

Positioned himself at the edge of the box to sweep up second balls and keep the ball for his side. Showed a good sense of tackling as well.

Hercules-7.5/10

Sat at the base of the midfield but he was very keen to swap positions and move forward. Had a couple of long efforts turned away.

Martinelli-7.5/10

The most forward-minded of the midfield trio. Went close to scoring with a lovely curler. He tracked back and helped his defence as well.

Forwards

Jhon Arias-7.5/10

Posed the most danger for the opposition. Had a crack from a tight angle and should've found the top corner. Ran at the goal directly with pace and purpose.

Everaldo-6.5/10

He was great in linkup play as the ball rarely bounced off of him. But he wasn't able to create many chances for himself when playing high up the pitch. His shot right before his substitution nearly resulted in a goal.

Agustin Canobbio-6/10

Helped his side move the ball quickly, but when they had the ball, he couldn't use his imagination to full effect. Wasted a golden opportunity as he only managed to roll it into the keeper's hands in the second half.

Substitutes

German Cano-6/10

Kevin Serna-6/10

Vinicius Lima-6/10

Paulo Baya-6/10

Manager

Renato Gaucho-6/10

His team werent afraid of the occasion as they played their usual patient passing game. Some pieces of build-up from the back excited every football fan.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs Fluminense

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel-8/10

Pulled off a couple of regulation saves as the angle was in his favor either time. Produced a fantastic double save to keep the scoreline level by parrying first and blocking the second.

Defenders

Niklas Sule-7.5/10

Did well to push high up in the pursuit of the ball. His passing from the back was crisp to help his side. Had an even greater second half as they were pumped by Fluminense

Waldemar Anton-7.5/10

He was very alert to keep Everaldo quiet in the box. Cleared multiple crosses and created chances with his long passes. His physicality came to the fore as he heckled the forwards into losing the ball.

Ramy Bensebaini-7.5/10

His tendency to go the ground early proved costly as he got a yellow card. But he did well to keep Arias quiet despite not winning every challenge. His presence was enough to force the issue as his keeper was unharmed.

Midfielders

Julian Ryerson-6.5/10

Involved in a lot of tracking back as the opposition found good chances to counter. Had a pop from the edge of the box, but it was blocked easily.

Marcel Sabitzer-6.5/10

Tried to create chances through the middle, but the opposition cut off his angles perfectly. Had a semi-decent chance in the second half but failed to lift it from the ground.

Pascal Gross-5/10

He was a bit suspect defensively as the opposition midfield cut through him easily. His set pieces, which are quite potent, were missing as well.

Daniel Svensson-6/10

Shaped in a couple of good crosses when he got the chance to venture forward. However, it was rare as Arias was giving him a handful.

Forwards

Julian Brandt-5.5/10

The skipper missed his usual flair as he was rusty with his passes and touches. Switched flanks midway but was unable to create meaningful openings.

Karim Adeyemi-6/10

He was electric with his pace to move the opposition backline. However, the final decision-making let him down.

Serhou Guirassy-6/10

The striker had a tough time with two physical centre-backs marking him. Even the service he was getting was limited, which made his game even more frustrating.

Substitutes

Felix Nmecha-6/10

Jobe Bellingham-6/10

Carney Chukwuemeka-6/10

Jamie Gittens-6/10

Yan Couto-6/10

Manager

Niko Kovac-6/10

The manager had a pondering to do as the opposition midfield was running the show. His side looked leggy and short of ideas in the final third.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match: Gregor Kobel