VfL Wolfsburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings: Guirassy Snatches Comeback Victory for the Men in Yellow

Borussia Dortmund edged past VfL Wolfsburg with a hard-fought 2–1 win, but the scoreline only scratches the surface of how tense and dramatic this encounter really was. Dortmund were the sharper, more assertive side for long stretches, especially in the first half, where their attacking movement and tempo repeatedly unsettled the Wolfsburg back line.

That pressure eventually told when Julian Brandt rose highest to nod Dortmund into the lead, a goal that felt like a reward for their dominance and hinted at more to come. Instead, the game took a sharp turn after the break.

Wolfsburg showed real character, pushing higher up the pitch and drawing level through a thumping header that briefly swung the momentum in their favour.

What defined the match from there was Wolfsburg’s profligacy. Chances came their way, but wasteful finishing, most notably from Mohamed Amoura, who squandered several clear openings, kept the door open.

And, as so often at this level, Dortmund punished them for it. Serhou Guirassy struck the decisive blow, restoring Dortmund’s lead and sealing a victory that felt deserved, if far from comfortable, in a breathless Bundesliga showdown. Here's a look at the VfL Wolfsburg Vs Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Sharp tempo and attacking movement paid off with Julian Brandt’s opener.
• Wolfsburg responded with intensity and an equaliser, briefly taking control.
• Wolfsburg missed big chances, and Dortmund made them pay through Serhou Guirassy’s winner.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs VfL Wolfsburg

Here's a look at the Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel - 6.5: Had a relatively quiet evening, all things considered. He couldn't do much about the well-placed header for Wolfsburg's goal. Made one key save inside the box and was generally solid with his distribution and claims. Not a spectacular performance, but he did what was asked of him without any fuss. A steady presence between the sticks.

Defenders

Waldemar Anton - 7.0: A very tidy performance at the back. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping to build play from deep. He was strong in his duels, winning most of them. The one blot on his copybook was an error that led to a shot, a moment that could have been costly. Otherwise, a very composed and reliable display from the defender.

Nico Schlotterbeck - 8.0: Our man of the match, without a doubt. He was an absolute colossus. Wearing the captain's armband, he led by example with an incredible 113 touches. He made crucial clearances, blocked three shots, and was dominant in the air. What surprised us was his contribution going forward, creating two chances. The yellow card for handball was the only minor blemish on an otherwise imperious performance.

Niklas Süle - 7.0: A performance of quiet efficiency. His pass accuracy was an impressive 94%, and he was a rock, recovering the ball 10 times. He even tested the keeper with a shot on target from distance. He was rarely caught out of position and provided a calming influence on the backline. A very solid showing.

Midfielders

Jobe Bellingham - 7.0: A bundle of energy in the midfield. From our perspective, he was a disruptive force, winning a remarkable eight out of nine duels and making three interceptions. He was constantly snapping at heels and breaking up Wolfsburg's rhythm. While not everything came off for him in an attacking sense, his defensive work rate was immense and vital to the team's balance.

Felix Nmecha - 7.5: What a smooth operator. He kept the ball moving with an exceptional 92% pass accuracy. But he wasn't just a metronome; he was a threat, creating two chances and attempting four dribbles. We noticed his ability to glide past players and drive the team forward was a key feature of Dortmund's attacks. A really classy and effective midfield display.

Daniel Svensson - 6.5: A mixed bag of a performance. He was certainly a creative outlet, crafting three key passes for his teammates. However, his final ball often let him down, with a low success rate on his seven crosses. He worked hard and drew fouls, but from our seat, he seemed to lack that cutting edge when it mattered most.

Julian Ryerson - 7.5: A fantastic attacking outlet before he was substituted. He provided a brilliant assist for Brandt's opening goal, a perfectly weighted cross. He was a constant thorn in Wolfsburg's side, though his eagerness to attack meant he lost possession quite often. It was a high-risk, high-reward performance that ultimately paid off handsomely for his team.

Forwards

Serhou Guirassy - 8.0: The match-winner. It wasn't his tidiest game, as he lost a few aerial duels and was sometimes isolated. But strikers are judged on goals, and he delivered the most important one of the night. His physical presence was a constant problem for the Wolfsburg defence, and he took his chance when it came. A classic number nine's performance.

Julian Brandt - 8.0: Scored a wonderful header to open the scoring, showing great movement and instinct in the box. He was involved in a lot of Dortmund's good play, linking up well and creating a chance. Yes, he lost the ball 18 times which is a bit high, but his goal was so crucial it elevates his rating significantly. A decisive contribution.

Maximilian Beier - 6.5: Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after hitting the woodwork. He was a livewire, constantly trying to make things happen and getting into good positions. However, his final product just wasn't there on the day. An energetic performance full of intent, but lacking that clinical finish.

Manager

N. Kovač - 7.5: He set his team up to attack and they did just that, dominating large parts of the game. His side showed character to retake the lead after being pegged back. The substitutions were managed well, and the overall game plan worked. He'll be delighted with the three points, earned through a positive and proactive approach.

VfL Wolfsburg Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Let's take a deeper look at the VfL Wolfsburg Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Kamil Grabara - 6.0: A difficult night for the keeper. He was left exposed for both goals and cannot really be blamed for either. He made a couple of decent saves, including a good one to deny Bellingham in the first half. His distribution wasn't the best, but he did what he could in the face of a relentless Dortmund attack.

Defenders

Kilian Fischer - N/A: It's impossible to give him a fair rating. He was forced off with an injury after just 17 minutes. A really unfortunate start to the match for the defender.

Denis Vavro - 6.0: A strange performance to assess. On one hand, he made a massive 13 clearances, which is an incredible statistic. On the other hand, he was dribbled past three times and seemed to struggle with the movement of Dortmund's attackers. He was busy, often making last-ditch interventions, but also looked vulnerable throughout.

Konstantinos Koulierakis - 7.5: Wolfsburg's standout defender. He scored a fantastic goal with a powerful header to drag his team level. Beyond the goal, he was solid defensively, making four clearances and three interceptions. He was a real threat in one box and a solid presence in his own. A very impressive all-round display.

Jeanuël Belocian - 7.0: We were impressed with his defensive work. He made three clearances and blocked three shots, putting his body on the line for the team. He was also composed in possession and even managed to create a chance. A really solid and reliable performance from the full-back who stood up well to the pressure.

Midfielders

Kento Shiogai - 4.5: A really tough evening for the midfielder. From our perspective, he was completely anonymous. He struggled to get into the game, was dribbled past three times, and offered very little going forward or defensively. It was no surprise to see him substituted after 64 minutes. He was just a passenger.

Adam Daghim - 8.0: Wolfsburg's best player by a country mile. He was the creative hub of the team, creating a staggering five chances and two big chances. Every time Wolfsburg looked dangerous, he was involved. His passing and vision were superb. The only negative was a yellow card, but his attacking contribution was simply outstanding. A brilliant individual performance in a losing effort.

Christian Eriksen - 6.5: A typically industrious performance from the veteran. He worked hard, making six clearances and three tackles. He tried to get things going with a couple of key passes, but was also dribbled past three times, which shows the pressure he was under. A battling display, but he couldn't quite impose his quality on the game.

Maximilian Arnold - 7.5: The captain led from the middle of the park. He delivered a perfect assist for the equalizer and was a threat with his set-piece delivery all night. Defensively, he was also excellent, winning his duels and making key tackles and interceptions. A true captain's performance, full of quality and fight.

Kevin Paredes - 6.0: He had his moments and looked lively at times, but ultimately struggled to make a real impact. He won a decent number of duels and made a couple of interceptions. However, he also lost possession nine times and his final product was lacking before he was taken off. A willing runner but not much more.

Forwards

Mohamed Amoura - 5.0: This was a painful one to watch. He got into so many good positions but his finishing was absolutely dreadful. He had eight shots in total, with seven flying off target and he missed two certified big chances. On another day he could have had a hat-trick and won the game for his team. His profligacy ultimately cost Wolfsburg at least a point.

Manager

D. Bauer - 6.0: His team showed great spirit to equalize and they created enough chances to win the game. However, he couldn't solve the defensive frailties that allowed Dortmund so many opportunities. The tactics were fine, but the execution, particularly in front of goal, let him and his team down badly.

Man of the Match

Nico Schlotterbeck was Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

Kento Shiogai had a very poor game and was arguably the worst performer on the pitch.