Bundesliga Top Five

Plea runs riot and Havertz's back - Bundesliga Round 19's Top Five performances

Elsewhere Dortmund duo Sancho and Reus took advantage of a poor Koln side

 
12:00pm on Monday 27th January 2020
By
Paul Macdonald
Alassane Pléa
S (C), W (L) - M - 26 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
90'
9.9
Jan 25, 2020
90Minutes played
2Goals
5Total shots
3Shots on target
4Fouled
7Touches in box
11Duels won
2Big chances

After losing at Schalke last time out Gladbach had to bounce back and after going behind early to Mainz, it was Plea who stepped up to turn the match around.

Both of his finishes from close range were utterly clinical and composed, but his all-round play was excellent, too, creating two big chances for team-mates and proving to be the main man in attack for Gladbach this campaign.

Kai Havertz
AM, M (C) - Leverkusen - 20 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
90'
8.9
Jan 26, 2020
90Minutes played
1Goals
10Touches in box
3Dribbles
8Duels won
2Big chances
50Passes
43Passes completed

After bursting onto the scene Havertz has had a difficult six months this season, but he is beginning to find some form, as have Leverkusen.

After playing his part in battering Paderborn last week, was again inspired as Fortuna Dusseldorf were swept aside in a superb attacking display. Aside from his excellent goal he also completed three dribbles and created two big chances to team-mates that weren't created. With the Euros on the horizon, Havertz is edging himself back into German contention.

Marco Reus
AM, S (C) - Dortmund - 30 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
80'
8.8
Jan 24, 2020
80Minutes played
1Goals
1Assists
4Tackles won
7Duels won
5Ball recovered
34Passes
30Passes completed

He may be 30 now and have the pressure of Erling Haaland wanting to start in attack for Dortmund, but Reus still has plenty in his locker as shown in his display in the destruction of Koln. He provided a pre-assist to Sancho then Raphael Guerreiro for the opening goal, the broke a weak offside trap to make it two not long after.

After he fed Sancho to last in the third it was effectively game over and Reus had done his job. He wants to be the elder statesmen in one of the most exciting young attacks in Europe.

Jadon Sancho
AM (RL) - Dortmund - 19 yrs
89'
8.7
Jan 24, 2020
89Minutes played
1Goals
1Assists
6Touches in box
5Ball recovered
2Big chances
53Passes
44Passes completed

Sancho was Reus' right hand man as Koln had absolutely no answer to the dynamic duo. Even before Haaland's second incredible cameo in a week, coming off the bench to net twice, Sancho had tormented the opposition defence.

His slide-rule pass across the area gave Guerriero a simple task to slot home, then after being played in by Reus he steadied himself to lash high into the net. Sancho's numbers for goals and assists this season continue to be of the highest quality.

Rafal Gikiewicz
GK - Union Berlin - 32 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
90'
8.7
Jan 25, 2020
90Minutes played
7Saves
1Duels
1Duels won
13Ball recovered
1Clearances
57Touches
19Passes completed

Union Berlin were totally outplayed by visitors Augsburg on Saturday and the main difference maker in the scoreline was goalkeeper Gikiewicz.

Augsburg has 24 shots in the contest, including seven on target, all of which were repelled by the veteran 33-year-old, who gave his side the platform to win 2-0 from their only three shots on target.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Robert Lewandowski (8.6) scored and assisted, as he usually does, in Bayern's straightforward win over Schalke which could have been even more impressive.

ROUND TO FORGET

And on the wrong end of the result, Markus Schubert (4.7) had very little to do other than collect the ball from the back of the net in a thumping 5-0 loss.

Latest news

Wigan vs Burton Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL League One match between Wigan and Burton on Friday, March 29th 2024 from DW Stadium.

  • 3 minutes

Fleetwood vs Cheltenham Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the upcoming League One tie between Fleetwood and Cheltenham on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 14 minutes

Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL Championship tie between Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 21 minutes

Peterborough vs Carlisle Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL Championship tie between Peterborough and Carlisle on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 45 minutes

Watford vs Leeds United Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL Championship tie between Watford and Leeds on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 17 hours

Blackburn vs Ipswich Town Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL Championship tie between Blackburn and Ipswich on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 17 hours

Most read