Borussia Dortmund 3–0 Holstein Kiel: Champions League Secured | xG, Tactics & Player Ratings

May 19

Score: Borussia Dortmund 3–0 Holstein Kiel
Date: May 17, 2025
Competition: Bundesliga – Matchday 34
Formations: Dortmund 3–4–2–1 | Holstein Kiel 3–4–2–1
Match Time: 96 mins
Active Play: 62 mins
xG: Dortmund 2.8 – 0.7 Kiel
xT: Dortmund 1.4 – 0.3 Kiel

Dortmund vs Holstein Kiel: Game Summary & Match Stats

Visual match summary showing xG, xT, possession, pass completion, shotmap, xG over time, and xT over time. Dortmund dominated all metrics and shot distribution.

Analysis: Borussia Dortmund – Holstein Kiel

Borussia Dortmund ended their league season with a commanding 3–0 home win over Holstein Kiel — a performance that not only showed dominance on the pitch but also sealed a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League qualification.

With 79% possession, 751 passes, and a total xG of 2.8, Dortmund's control was never in doubt. Holstein Kiel had brief moments of pressure but managed just 4 shots in total, none of which seriously threatened Dortmund’s goal.

xG Timeline

Dortmund’s expected goals steadily rose across the match, with scoring spikes around the 3rd, 47th, and 72nd minutes — correlating directly to the three goals. Kiel’s xG barely moved, reflecting a lack of penetration and chance creation.

xT Timeline

Dortmund's expected threat (xT) increased consistently, showing dominance especially in transitions and in the final third. Kiel barely generated meaningful threat throughout.

Shotmap

Dortmund's shotmap shows a cluster of high-quality attempts inside the box, including multiple central zone finishes. Holstein Kiel had just one or two tame efforts from distance.

Possession & Passing

Dortmund had 79% possession and a pass accuracy of 89.3%, completing 751 passes versus Kiel’s 278. Their 6.2 passes per chain and high pass % UP (81.7%) underline how fluidly they moved into attacking positions.

Player Ratings

Formations of Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel with player positions and the three highest-rated players of the match: Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha, and Ramy Bensebaini. Game time: 96 mins, active play: 62 mins.

Marcel Sabitzer – Dortmund – 9.4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Felix Nmecha – Dortmund – 8.5 ⭐️⭐️

Ramy Bensebaini – Dortmund – 8.4 ⭐️

Final Thoughts

A statement performance from Borussia Dortmund to close out their Bundesliga campaign. They controlled the game in every phase — tempo, territory, and threat. More importantly, the win locked in Champions League qualification, a major relief after a rollercoaster season.

Luca Sciacca