PLAYER RATINGS | Borussia Dortmund 1-1 LOSC Lille: Karim Adeyemi opens the scoring but the hosts drop points
Tuesday’s first-leg tie in the UEFA Champions League 2024‑25 Round of 16 at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park saw Dortmund take the lead early through Karim Adeyemi, however Lille dug in and punished the hosts’ sluggish second-half display to grab a 1-1 draw. Here’s a breakdown of how key players fared.
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel (GK) – Some shaky moments but no major errors that cost a goal. Given Lille only managed one shot on target, he did his job.
Emre Can (Defensive Mid/CB) – Started strong, helped control the midfield early, but the lapse that led to the equaliser fell on the team’s collective defensive sluggishness.
Nico Schlotterbeck (CB) – Solid in positioning and aerial duels, came close to scoring himself just before half-time.
Daniel Svensson (CB) – A mixed display: defended relatively well but visible tiredness in the second half when Lille began to gain momentum.
Julian Ryerson (RB/LB) – Adequate going forward but lacked game-changing contributions, especially in the final third.
Marcel Sabitzer (Mid) – Did his bit in linking play but ultimately lacked the spark needed to break down a resilient Lille defence.
Pascal Groß (Mid) – Quiet by his standards; one moment of danger just before half-time was offside, highlighting that chances were being created yet lacked precision.
Karim Adeyemi (FW) – Best performer for Dortmund. His opener in the 22nd minute was a technically excellent strike from around 17 metres, drilled low and precise. He showed intent, movement and execution, though his team didn’t build sufficiently on his goal.
Julian Brandt (LW/Mid) – Offered glimpses of creativity but struggled to impose himself meaningfully; perhaps lacked the brute force to change momentum.
Jamie Gittens (RW/Winger) – Work-rate commendable, pressing opponents, but the end-product was lacking.
Serhou Guirassy (Striker) – Rarely found his rhythm. Dortmund dominated possession early, yet lacked the finishing touch through him.
Subs: Late changes (Reyna, Couto, Bensebaini) didn’t alter the complexion of the game significantly.
Team summary: Dortmund took the lead with quality, but after half-time their tempo dropped. As one analysis put it: “The second half was not good at all. Too little intensity off the ball and too little ball possession.” The draw is a moderately positive result, but it leaves the tie open and Dortmund must bring more urgency in the return leg.
LOSC Lille
Håkon Árnar Haraldsson (Mid/Forward) – Best performer for Lille. His equaliser in the 68th minute came with low-profile composure: when given the chance, he finished clinically.
Jonathan David (Forward) – Although he didn’t score, his assist for Haraldsson showed his value in helping unlock Dortmund’s defence.
Benjamin André & Ayyoub Bouaddi (Midfield) – Their industrious display in midfield helped Lille regain composure after the break.
Defensive Unit – Started off stretched in the first half but improved after the interlude when Lille adjusted their shape and began to press higher, forcing Dortmund into errors.
Team summary: Having conceded early, Lille showed resilience and patience. They were punished fewer times in the second wave and their low-key but effective equaliser gives them a good platform heading into the second leg.
Conclusion
Karim Adeyemi’s fine strike gives Dortmund hope, but overall this draw is an uncomfortable platform. The one-goal lead vanished thanks to a second-half drop in tempo and intensity. Lille were worth their goal, and the tie is very much alive heading to France for the return. Dortmund must re-find their sharpness and urgency — especially away from home — if they are to progress.
Let me know if you’d like full ratings for all players or a breakdown by minute and tactical phases.
