Borussia Dortmund has been looking for the necessary consistency so far this season. sport.de looks at BVB’s biggest construction sites before the Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain.
BVB management looking for form
Many Dortmund regular players are currently lagging behind their top form. Captain Emre Can’s performances so far are emblematic of BVB’s shaky start to the season. While the defensive midfielder was a guarantee of the upswing in the last second half of the season, he is not yet really getting going in the first few weeks of the new season.
Meanwhile, Sébastien Haller is looking for his nose for goals on offense. Although the 29-year-old scored twice in the 6-1 DFB Cup win against Schott Mainz, he was not yet a factor in the Bundesliga. With new signing Niclas Füllkrug and youngster Youssoufa Moukoko, two more center forwards have a desire for a place in the starting eleven.
Füllkrug could possibly move into the starting line-up against PSG (9 p.m. in the LIVE ticker). “Niclas played 30 minutes in Freiburg. He handled it well. Tomorrow we’ll see if it’s enough for more,” said coach Edin Terzic on Monday.
Other BVB professionals such as Karim Adeyemi and Marius Wolf also still have room for improvement.
BVB too vulnerable defensively
Defense is a real ongoing issue in Dortmund. This season, BVB only kept a clean sheet against 1. FC Köln (1-0), although this was more due to the opponent’s exploitation of chances than their own stability.
In the recent 4-2 win against SC Freiburg, Borussia were extremely vulnerable to high balls – both goals conceded resulted from headers.
Coach Terzic has repeatedly noted this season that the distances need to be kept closer. The fact is: BVB will not always be able to rely on its dangerous offensive department. Especially in the Champions League group with Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United and AC Milan, any goal conceded can mean the end.
BVB constantly inconsistent
The fluctuations in performance within a game are particularly noticeable at BVB this season.
A weak first half at VfL Bochum (1:1) was followed by an improved performance in the second half. In the duel with newly promoted 1. FC Heidenheim (2:2), the Westphalians led 2-0 early on, only to give up the victory that they had already thought was certain. In Freiburg, BVB scored two goals shortly before half-time and made life difficult for themselves.
“What we don’t like: The fact that we couldn’t maintain constant control after the good start,” criticized Terzic after the 4-2 win in Breisgau. Dortmund are currently consistently inconsistent. Only those involved know whether the championship that was dramatically lost in May is still in the back of their minds.
The ups and downs automatically increase the pressure on coach Terzic. If a crisis is to be avoided, Dortmund urgently needs to become more stable.
Debate about BVB transfer policy
Dortmund’s stuttering start has led to discussions about the past transfer summer. The departure of Jude Bellingham is to be compensated for by Felix Nmecha and Marcel Sabitzer. However, the purchase of a classic six like transfer flirt Edson Álvarez was avoided; according to media reports, Terzic spoke out in favor of Can as an internal solution.
The sale of Thorgan Hazard to the Belgian first division club RSC Anderlecht also reportedly caused a lot of discussion internally. According to “Ruhr Nachrichten”, Terzic would have liked to hold on to the veteran. The coach has already planned for the flexible player to be a backup for the sparse full-back position.
With Haller, Füllkrug and Moukoko, there are three center forwards in the squad, all of whom will be entitled to plenty of playing time.
Even though the transfer window has closed since September 1st, potential winter reinforcements are already being discussed around Dortmund. Jadon Sancho, who is unhappy at Manchester United, is being linked with the Revier club these days.
Jannik Kube