Julian Brandt is still often called “Brother Lightfoot” at Borussia Dortmund. Nevertheless, we need someone like that in the top game against Bayern Munich.
Just recently it sounded like Edin Terzic was talking about one of his young players again. In the black-washed press room of the Frankfurt Arena last Sunday (29/20/2023), what was meant was Julian Brandt, who should actually have outgrown his talent status.
“We’ve lost balls more often in the past. That’s something we want to eliminate, something we’ve eliminated for a long time, and something we’ll eliminate again“, emphasized the Borussia Dortmund coach in a stern tone. He was referring to a 27-year-old national player who will probably be playing his 302nd Bundesliga game in the top game against FC Bayern Munich (Saturday 6:30 p.m. in the audio live stream).
In Frankfurt there was a kick-off from Mats Hummels
Dortmund’s noble technician was an example of the emotional rollercoaster in the Frankfurt city forest on the last Sunday in October, where the Westphalians exchanged blows with their sights open. Right in the middle of the final points for the Hessians was Brandt: First, a very casual backheel placement – directly into the opponent’s feet – led to Farès Chaïbi’s goal making it 2-3, but then he sprinted full speed ahead to score after Karim Adeyemi’s solo Cleverly push the ball over the line with the tip of your foot to make it 3-3.
After the final whistle, Brandt didn’t seem really satisfied, as he had lost his balance all too easily. The anger in his own ranks was enormous: Mats Hummels complained like a pig and expressed his anger at his teammate by having the defense chief imitate Brandt’s heel kick. Genius and madness should no longer alternate in random succession if the black and yellow finally want to win titles.
More seriousness is on his agenda
Brandt had put more seriousness on his agenda when he extended his contract with BVB in the spring of this year. His official statement about his commitment to sign in Dortmund until 2026 was: “Even after four years, I still have great fun every single day being part of this team, playing football for this highly emotional club with its extraordinary fans.”
He actually belongs to the category of kickers that people come to the stadium for. He was already in January and February “Player of the Month” at the DFL; His ball skills and understanding of the game continue to amaze. And: Brandt was recently involved in a goal in eight of the last Bundesliga games in a row. Only Erling Haaland had recently achieved that.
Because of his footballing talent, number 19 is someone who can always make the difference. Also now in the duel against the record champions. Without elements of surprise, little will happen at this level.
Because as sports director Sebastian Kehl says: “His feel for dangerous situations on the pitch, coupled with his technical skills and creativity, make him a valuable part of our squad.” They had already raved about the facilities at VfL Wolfsburg, who brought the Bremen native to the Autostadt at the age of 15 because SV Werder had somehow let this talented blonde, who until then only played for the district clubs SC Borgfeld and FC Oberneuland, slip through the cracks.
Bayer Leverkusen got in the way of VfL Wolfsburg
The reasons have never been fully clarified, especially since father Jürgen Brandt, an ardent admirer of the Green and Whites, used to travel all the way to Lisbon to watch the 1992 European Cup final between Werder Bremen and AS Monaco as a fan. The fact is that Brandt’s detour to the Autostadt was not detrimental to development, but another factory club struck to bring this player out into the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen got in the way. The Rhinelanders apparently not only presented a sophisticated career plan and a comparatively paltry 500,000 euros in transfer fees, but also apparently paid a whopping six-figure commission to the father, who acted as a consultant, according to later documents from the disclosure platform Football Leaks should say.
Many a coach is desperate – including Joachim Löw
For Leverkusen, the investments in the Brandt family were worthwhile. The Magic Foot formed a brilliant team with his friend Kai Havertz, who provided the best entertainment on good days. At first, no one took offense at the fact that they went underground every now and then. In 2019, Brandt moved on to Borussia Dortmund. At that time, he was estimated to have a record market value of 50 million euros, because at the 2018 World Cup he made at least three short appearances for the DFB team, which stumbled in the preliminary round, and was one of the few national players who did not disappoint.
Joachim Löw gave him the number 10 at times and actually wanted to build him up as a beacon of hope, but Brandt didn’t take off at the highest level. “I had a lot of coaches that I broke to the maximum,” he says once. This could mean ex-national coach Joachim Löw, who did not take the insecure cantonist with him to the 2021 European Championship. And who watches the documentary? “All or nothing” after the 2022 World Cup, noticed: Julian Brandt didn’t show up for the meeting on time, which also made ex-national coach Hansi Flick terribly annoyed. Julian Nagelsmann is now at the helm.
It will be exciting to see whether Julian Nagelsmann nominates him
A young football teacher who thinks a lot about offensive football, but who primarily needs national players to keep the balance for the 2024 European Championship. After all, he took Brandt with him on the trip to the USA – and came on for Leroy Sané in the first game against the US boys (3-1). Afterwards against Mexico (2:2), the 45-time national player did not play.
The national team’s next squad for the international matches against Turkey and Austria will be announced on Friday in a week’s time (November 10th, 2023). Nagelsmann will watch closely what happens in the top game between BVB and Bayern. And what Julian Brandt does. Playing Brother Lightfoot again could not only anger Edin Terzic.