Providing a cutting edge on debut

A first competitive game for Borussia, a first brace and involved in numerous dangerous attacks by the Foals – it was a special night in the DFB-Pokal for Franck Honorat.

A constant threat, creative in possession and active defensively, Franck Honorat’s first competitive start in a Borussia shirt was something to behold. The Frenchman celebrated his 27th birthday on Friday, but that wasn’t the only thing he was celebrating, as he also scored his first couple of goals for the Foals in his very first competitive game for the club in the DFB-Pokal against TuS Bersenbrück (7-0 win). “Franck had a good game. I thought he put in an eye-catching performance and was involved in a lot of the play,” said Borussia’s sporting director Nils Schmadtke, praising the new signing after full time. “He has a lot of clarity and precision in his ideas which sets him apart.”

It always looked dangerous when he was on the ball. Honorat scored the opener, setting the team on the way to reaching the next round. That was not his only goal contribution, though: He also assisted Tomas Cvancara to make it 4-0, provided a pre-assist with his ball to Alassane Plea for Nathan Ngoumou’s second goal and finished confidently to make it 5-0 having perfectly controlled Florian Neuhaus’ chipped pass.

Kept his word

When asked during his presentation at the club in July how he would describe the type of player he is, Honorat said, “I often try to run in behind and bring speed into the game.” This was clearly not just words, with the Frenchman recording 34 sprints in the game against Bersenbrück, the most of any Borussia player. His aggression and intensity on the ball was also praiseworthy; he won 59% of his duels, demonstrating his competitive side.

“For me, the bottom line is to throw myself into it and to always give 100%,” said Honorat. “The second most important thing is then to do things well on a technical and tactical level, be it in how you receive the ball, playing a good pass, as well as scoring and assisting goals.” As far as his first game goes, Honorat definitely lived up to his words.