Bundesliga soccer team Borussia Dortmund is facing groundbreaking weeks. A first win in the Champions League must be achieved on Wednesday (9:00 p.m.), otherwise there is a risk of an early exit in the group phase. And in the Bundesliga, the top players around FC Bayern are now waiting for BVB. Based on the developments in the last few games, there is certainly hope from the Black and Yellow perspective, but the mood could quickly change again.
Six games in just 17 days, plus against opponents who have it all: BVB has to prove itself in the coming weeks. Only then will it become clear where the journey – nationally and internationally – will take Borussia Dortmund.
At the start of the “Weeks of Truth”, the runner-up has to score points against Premier League sixth-placed Newcastle United in order not to be left behind in Champions League Group F after the first leg. The second leg (November 7th) will take place shortly afterwards in Dortmund.
In the Bundesliga we first go to the resurgent Frankfurt team (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.) before the cup hurdle Hoffenheim (November 1st) has to be overcome. And then there are the top games at home against FC Bayern (November 4th) and away at VfB Stuttgart (November 11th). From BVB’s perspective, what gives hope that all of the season’s goals can still be achieved before the next international break? And why are there – certainly justified – concerns?
This gives BVB hope:
- After the weak start to the premier class in Paris (0-2), there was heavy criticism of Borussia Dortmund’s performance and BVB also failed to convince against AC Milan (0-0) at times. Nevertheless, the black and yellow team travel to St James’ Park with a good deal of self-confidence: Terzic’s team has been unbeaten in 16 Bundesliga games. Captain Emre Can also knows: “We have now won a few games in the Bundesliga and can go ahead with confidence.”
- Speaking of Emre Can: The Dortmund leader coped well with not being nominated for the DFB selection. His very clearly visible lack of form at the start of the season also appears to have been overcome. Can was recently in “vacuum cleaner mode” against Bremen, as it was described in the sport.de-Individual criticism was. Also: His dream pass to Julian Brandt led to the winning goal. Last but not least, the interaction with newcomer Felix Nmecha (sport.de grade 2.0) also (finally) worked significantly better.
- Improved running values - against Bremen, BVB broke the 120 kilometer mark for the first time – and passing values - against Union, Dortmund achieved an accuracy of 90 percent – show a development step compared to the start of the season. The 22 shots fired against Werder demonstrate the offensive enthusiasm, even if only one goal was scored in the end.
- The competition in coach Edin Terzic’s team has increased significantly. Supposed regulars like Marcel Sabitzer and Niklas Süle are pushing for deployments. Youngster Youssoufa Moukoko also wants to get back into the team with good performances for the U21 national team, even though he had to miss the game against Bremen due to injury. “How often did we have to fill up the squad with young players?” Terzic asked before the blowout against Newcastle: “This time almost everyone is available to us.” A big plus, considering the few breaks between games in the next few weeks.
This is causing concern at Borussia Dortmund:
- Yes, coach Terzic has a lot of choice on offense, but so far only the same players have been able to really impress in attack. Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller, who were so strong in the second half of the season, have been completely out of shape for weeks. Haller, who according to his coach works “very hard”, has not yet scored a goal this Bundesliga season. Adeyemi has not provided a single assist so far. And super talent Moukoko? He’s working “hard for his chance” but hasn’t made a single starting appearance in 2023/24. The rumor mill has long been bubbling that the 18-year-old could be sold in the winter.
- There is a lack of squad depth in the defensive wing positions, as the short-term loss of regular Julian Ryerson makes clear. On the left there is almost no alternative to using Ramy Bensebaini, while on the right the only options are Marius Wolf and Niklas Süle. Due to Bensebaini’s expected appearance at the Africa Cup next spring, the personnel situation will remain tense in the coming weeks. By the way: Wolf’s contract expires in summer 2024.
- Speaking of Süle: he received more than just a lesson from Terzic at the start of the season, as he was only called into the starting eleven four times. Far too little for the 55-time national player, as national coach Julian Nagelsmann recently emphasized. It is certainly questionable whether the current BVB reservist will continue to hold back publicly even if he is ignored in the coming games with a triple burden, the “Bild” recently speculated.
- Spectacle at BVB? None! Borussia Dortmund are not always convincing in terms of play this season. “Less sexy, more success,” said Terzic, defending the new BVB style. But captain Can also couldn’t avoid criticizing the fact that his own game is still very “static and slow”. One thing is clear: If there are no good results in the future, the mood at BVB will quickly change.
Gerrit Kleiböhmer