Saturday, 6 August 2011

Hamburger SV's Heiko Westermann against Borussia Dortmund

Westermann's poor header while under pressure from Lucas Barrios, allowed the Paraguayan striker to collect the ball in the build up to Grosskreutz's opening goal (3 seconds into the video clip).

Hamburger SV's German centre back Heiko Westermann

Strong and powerful in the air, Westermann's positional awareness and reading of the game is also impressive.

Borussia Dortmund's German left back Marcel Schmelzer

A young, fast and energetic full back, he's a strong and tough tackler.

Borussia Dortmund's Japanese attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa

Kagawa's pace, fitness and dribbling ability all make him a very useful attacking midfielder or winger.

Borussia Dortmund's German defensive midfielder Sven Bender

He knows his purpose and his place in the team. Good in the air and great at reacting quickly to danger in midfield.

Borussia Dortmund's Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios

Barrios has that ability to be in the right place at the right time on the football field, making him perfect to play the lone striker role. He's got plenty of pace and size and very accurate and powerful finish.

Borussia Dortmund's German attacking midfielder Mario Gotze

Brilliant when Dortmund are on the counter attack, due to his athleticism and speed. He's excellent on the ball and loves to run at the opposition.

Borussia Dortmund's German central defender Mats Hummels

Similar to Subotic, he's both young and particularly strong and powerful in the air. Arguably a better tackler than his Serbian team-mate, not many strikers will expect to get the better of him when running at Hummels with the football at their feet.

Borussia Dortmund's Serbian central defender Nevan Subotic

Very strong and great in the air. Subotic despite his youth is a real physical presence in the centre of the defence. He can also strike a ball with real power, though not always with accuracy

Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze against Hamburger SV

Breaking into space and receiving the ball from Lucas Barrios, Gotze drove forward and laid off a pass to the left for Grosskreutz to score the opening goal (7 seconds into the video clip).

Borussia Dortmund's Kevin Grosskreutz against Hamburger SV

Grosskreutz started the season well for the 2010/11 Bundesliga winners, scoring the first goal of the season with a precise left footed shot beyond Hamburg goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny which went on off the foot of the post (8 seconds into the video clip).