Back To Basics Following European Blow
Dortmund’s thinly spread triple ambitions are over, now it’s time to finish with a flourish.
As the klaxon of ill-fate still rings in the aftermath of disappointment from Thursday’s game at Anfield, Borussia Dortmund find themselves with little time to lick their wounds ahead of Sunday’s clash with HSV Hamburg.
In a game “no words can describe” according to Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, BVB saw a three goal advantage tenuously slip away at the hands of Liverpool in an unprecedented capitulation for schwarz and gelbe. It now means that Dortmund’s only tenable chance at silverware this season lies in another taxing knockout scenario in the form of the domestic DFB Pokal Cup.
Nonetheless, BVB must adhere to the weekend’s challenge from visiting side Hamburg, in a league encounter that historically, has produced more goals than any other fixture. Following last Sundays disappointment in the Ruhr derby against Schalke, in which Tuchel named eight changes to the starting eleven and saw his team’s lead cut back on two occasions, Dortmund have all but handed the mantle to Bayern Munich. The German champions now hold a seven point lead and with an impressive goal difference, nothing short of three Munich defeats and a perfect end of the season run from BVB will suffice to overturn the deficit at the top.
With the cup encounter against Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion this coming Wednesday, it is likely that more changes to the starting eleven for tomorrow’s game are in the offing. With the gradual reintroduction of Ilkay Gundogan in the last few games following an injury, Tuchel may feel that it is the perfect fixture to grant the stalwart midfielder some much needed time on the pitch. The only player ruled out of tomorrow’s game through injury is centre-back Nevin Subotic. Sven Bender lost his place in the starting lineup during the Europa League tie at Anfield, but may return in order to provide a jaded back four with much needed recuperation.
Despite their unbeaten record at home this season, BVB can expect a torrid time against Hamburg tomorrow. In the reverse fixture back in November, Hamburg overpowered an in-form Dortmund in an impressive 3-1 to end BVB’s seven-game winning streak.
Though the visitors sit in tenth place, they have not been mathematically ruled out of relegation, and a snap victory at the Signal Iduna Park would go a long way towards securing their status in the Bundesliga next season.
Say Your Goodbyes
Borussia Dortmund must move past the constant swirl of capricious squad members and their lack of commitment.
There is nothing particularly palpable about the latest swathe of transfer speculation surrounding an over-encumbering list of Borussia Dortmund stars. This dialectical issue has pricked its horns into the side of schwarz und gelbe fans for almost five years,as past stars leave a depleted side in their wake in an almost interminable process of rejuvenation.
The writing for last seasons mishaps had been on the wall ever since the fallout of 2013’s Champions League heartache at the hands of Bayern Munich. Two players, for all their joys and wonders on the field, allowed their mercurial temperament to tempt them away from the Westfalonstadion and into the hands of the old Bavarian rival. Whilst it painted the way for one Polish captains glory, the same cannot be said of his German colleague who a season prior made the devil’s switch. Instead, Mario Goetze has had to make do with licking his wounds on the substitutes bench or grasping at the rare glimpses in the starting eleven Pep Guardiola grants him.
It is certain that BVB can expect to part company with one of this season’s star-studded lineup at the very least. It would be remiss to think that Thomas Tuchel has not given any of his squad ample reason to remain at the club, but the age old problem for Bundesliga sides lies in the ubiquity of perks the powerhouse clubs of Europe can flash across a player’s face.
Rather than hearken on about the the potential detached cogs in the wheel, a new trail of thought needs to be entertained. Few among the that stalwart list of potential outgoings would register the fatal blow responsible for a teams capitulation. Champions League football and Bundesliga title challenges are still within the realms of possibility even if Borussia Dortmund find themselves two players lighter come the summer transfers. The question then becomes who BVB could live without?
Casting An Eye Forward
Two names that can be stricken from the potential “do withouts” are of course Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Ilkay Gundogen. The former represents a prolific goal scoring capacity assailed only by pair of Robert Lewandowski goals, whilst the latter epitomizes an eclectic style of midfield play second to none in Europe. Gundogen has been thrown under the Manchester united radars alongside fellow German Mats Hummels, and it is here that the quest for the potentially obsolete begins.
Season after season, a discerning Hummels has tossed up the idea of leaving Borussia only to remain to pose the same question again in a year’s time. His erudite forward play has never faltered, but it is no acute observation to note that Hummel’s days as a finely tuned defensive talisman are beginning to dissipate. Too often this season has the German international been caught out in a high line scenario on an opposing break and his marking within the penalty area, to say the least, is wanton of a rigorous overhaul in the player’s games.
The only saving grace for a captain beginning to live off reputation this season has been the intermittent injuries to both Sokratis and Nevan Subotic. If both can maintain regular fitness, accompanied by the ever versatile Sven Bender, then it may be time for BVB to cash in on one of those €30m price tags that get thrown around with regard to Hummels every year.
What is Robin Without Batman?
If, as ill-fate would have it, the headhunters pry open their ever expansive piggy banks for Aubameynag this season, the long term future of Marco Reus may also come to the floor. It must have been bitterly disappointing for Reus to have missed out on Germany’s World Cup glory two years ago and in hindsight, he hasn’t looked as though he has regained his love for the game ever since. The ten goals Reus has scored this season are somewhat diminished by the paltry two goals the winger has managed int the way of domestic assists so far. He has remained anonymous throughout large portions of the big ties this season and has been rightfully substituted in many for the ever-willing presence of a Gonzalo Castro or Shinji Kagawa.
Indeed, both Kagawa and Castro, the most justifiable of stand-ins for Reus, have created 13 Bundesliga goals between them, with runaway winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan sitting on pole position in the league with 12. Casting an eye back three or four seasons ago, these were the kind of statistics a hungrier Marco Reus was predisposed to. Wherever Aubameyang decides to apply his trade next season will have a huge bearing on the future of Reus, though cover should his departure manifest itself is aplenty.
Thomas Tuchel has instilled the confidence and trust among the players that they once possessed during the title winning years under Jurgen Klopp. There is every reason why he should fight to keep each one of the transfer candidates to build a squad around next season, but for Borussia fans, a subtle reminder that life may not be all that bad without a couple of big names is welcomed reassurance.
Forward To Basel
Europa League Draw Will See Jurgen Klopp Return To His Old Flame.
They may have avoided last year’s winners and many peoples favourites Seville, but Borussia Dortmund will have their work cut out for them against another front runner;Liverpool.
In a fixture that is sure to attract escalated media intrigue in the build up, former BVB boss Jurgen Klopp will return to the Signal Iduna Park for the first leg with his new employers Liverpool on the 7th April, with the corresponding fixture to take place on the 14th at Anfield.
Following the exit of Brendan Rodgers after a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby back in October, Klopp took on the difficult task of steering The Reds back to the higher echelons both domestically and in Europe. Suffice to say that the squad, albeit an inherited one, are playing a harmonious style under their new German boss in his first season and missed out on early silverware only via the lottery of a penalty shootout in this year’s Capital One cup against Manchester City.
Whilst Dortmund are still in the running for a potential treble this season, the Europa League poses Liverpool’s only chance of picking up something out of an otherwise forgetful season. It would be a tremendous achievement for Klopp, a favourite among the Dortmund fans, to lift the trophy and his new side have placed high emphasis, as well as BVB, in aiming to do so.
And The Other Fixtures..
Elsewhere current champions Seville will look to see off the challenge of fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao in their defense of the title. Villareal, whose home win against Bayer Leverkusen was enough to ensure them passage to the last eight, will take on this year’s surprise package Sparta Prague. The first fixture drawn out of the hat in today’s draw pits Braga against Ukranian side Shaktar Donetsk.
The remaining eight teams have it all to play for on the road to this year’s final in Basel, which will take place on the 18th May.
A Sad Day For Borussia Dortmund
We would like to extend our whole-hearted condolences to the friends and family of the fan who tragically their life at today’s game. Sometimes football has to take a back seat but the respect shown by both sets of supporters after the news broke was extremely admirable. We also hold the second fan at today’s game in our thoughts, and are glad to hear they are in a stable condition in hospital. #YNWA
Man of the Match- vs Tottenham Hotspur
It was an impressive victory not to mention the shut out which has Borussia Dortmund in a commanding position heading into the away leg at White Hart Lane. Of the four that we have gone for, who gets your vote?
European Glory For Schwarz und Gelbe?
Two Past Borussia Dortmund Powerhouses Recount Better European Nights In Black and Yellow History.
There is no denying that this year may perhaps bring to the floor a Euro League champion truly worthy of the accolade. Competition is fierce, as Der BVB will certainly find out from the off in tonight’s home leg against Tottenham Hotspur.
The last time Borussia Dortmund registered in Europe as significant figures, it was in the form of agony during a Champions League final that seen bitter rivals Bayern Munich lift old ‘Big Ears’ back in 2013. Five German teams have lifted the Europa League since it’s formation under the old UEFA cup format, but BVB cannot count themselves among the biggest of winners.
During their return to the competition this season, Dortmund have been mercurial to say the least throughout their group fixtures. A couple of bland efforts away from home and defeats along the road are hardly the type of form the Yellow Wall will have been looking for as they entertain an in-form, Premiership aspiring Spurs.
Should they hope to advance and count themselves among the latter teams in what is shaping up to be one of the most impressive Europa League’s to date, Borussia historians will be hoping the side can recall the European glory of 1997; when club icons Karl Heinze Reidle and managerial ‘General’ Ottmar Hitzfeld spurred the side to the highest honour in club football.
Man of the Match: vs Bayern Munich
It was a rigid performance between two teams with tremendous respect for the potential threats of one another. Cast your vote on the Dortmund man who impressed yesterday evening in Der Klassiker.
Klopp Cannot Contain Himself
Even during a post-match Liverpool interview, Jurgen Klopp can’t help but relish Bayern’s defeat.
Who Will Hold Down The Holding Role?
Thomas Tuchel’s plan throws precedence towards Borussia Dortmund’s defensive frailties.
The most derisive of fans could hardly argue that a team sitting second with title aspirations cannot afford to have conceded 25 league goals at the halfway point. It reflects an issue that manager Thomas Tuchel would have been well aware of when he arrived at Borussia Dortmund, and is one he is wanton to address with his tactical formalities thus far.
Newly signed and first choice goalkeeper Roman Burki has managed eight clean sheets in the Bundeliga so far. A paltry figure, when you look at Munich’s Manuel Neur; sitting pretty with an impressive 14.
The reinvigorating free-flowing form of the Dortmund forward lines have attracted the intrigue of spectators throughout Europe. Yet it is the underlying theme of a holding, defensive midfielder that Tuchel implements regularly that validates the free movement up front.
Decisions, Decisions
Many have tested their weight in this all encompassing position so far in the Dortmund’s
calendar; none more so than summer signing Julian Weigl. Having made the switch from second tier side Munchen Lions, where he applied his trade further up the field, Tuchel had deployed him almost exclusively in a more conservative, holding role he hopes will stem the volume of goals BVB concede.
Perish the thought for fear of criticism, that it was a remittance made in vain to take a player whose talents lie elsewhere in footballing terms, and apply him in a somewhat Xabi Alonso-styled position Weigl is perhaps incapable of. Quite simply, for all his tenacity and capabilities in passing and possession, Weigl does perhaps lack the strength to impose himself on a game in such a manner as his manager would like to see.
With the regular return of Dortmund heavyweights Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan, Tuchel’s holding role in the middle of the pitch is seemingly spoilt for choice. Add Sven Bender, fresh off a newly signed contract that will keep him at the club until 2021, to the mix and selection becomes a predicament
The truth is that none of the aforementioned players really suit Tuchel’s holding role adequately. It would be remiss to have the likes of Gundogan or Sahin doggedly harass an opposition in the middle at the expense of forgoing their trade further up the pitch in support of BVB’s tenacious wingers and top goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Sven Bender on the other hand, whilst proficient in a defensive role, lacks the endurance and capacity when on the ball to really be considered for a place in Dortmund’s midfield.
The Answer is In Front of You
A steelier option then may prove to be BVB’s journeyman of the season. Without complaint and with a whole deal of pride that his performances have granted him, Matthias Ginter has played in several roles; ranging from right back to central midfielder under Tuchel’s orders.
Matthias Ginter: PicSource:wikipedia.org
It was interesting to note during the fleeting period he replaced regular right-back Lukasz Piszczek , how commanding Ginter was as part of an overlapping flank. No matter where his manager has deemed him fit to play, Ginter has provided consistently solid performances. What it boils down to is whether or not Tuchel will have trust in the young German international to grant him the game time necessary to discover if, or indeed if not, Ginter fits the bill. Fans may say that if he placed the same burden on such young shoulders as Weigl’s, then the floor can and should be given to a disciplined Dortmund regular.
Of course, many would overhaul any argument for Ginters place by pointing out that he has been used predominantly as a back-up central defender in the past. This however, came under the reign of Jurgen Klopp whom Ginter for whatever reason (it must remain a tactical anomaly) was always a little out of favour.
Much of the attention last season came in the form of brimestone-style ridicule of Dortmund’s denfence. Their new boss went about addressing these issues well. A new keeper was signed and players such as Marcel Schelzer, whose career did seem to be flickering out, have flourished yet again under new management.
The task now remains for Tuchel to address the issue of a holding midfielder; a position that the Dortmund boss seems adamant is at the heart of his core tactical philosophy.
Lewandowski Returns With A Sucker Punch
On his return to the Signal Iduna Park, a muted Robert Lewandowski granted his new employers a key win.
Suffice to say that not much of what went on last season lives long in the memory of any Borussia Dortmund fan. That said, when one of your former greats returns to deliver the defeat, it is bitter to take.
Borussia Dortmund have the confidence going into to a fixture which could reduce the gap at the top to just two points. Should they succeed in doing so, BVB will have to stem the goalscoring cataclysm of a man who brought their team so much joy in the past.
Robert Lewandowski has been in impeccable form both at club and country level. Indeed, many in Poland believe that his ability to drop deeper and contribute more assists are factors that have made him an excellent leader as their captain.
With Lewandowski and BVB’s own Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dueling at the top for goal-scoring supremacy in the Bundesliga, a keen eye will be fixed on the discipline both sides can implement defensively.
The chagrins of last year’s 5-1 drumming at the Allianz Arena splayed fragments of disbelief for Dortmund fans worldwide. In light of the midweek Bundesliga results, BVB will hope to reciprocate the sentiments on their opponents come Saturday.
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