The calls for a changing of the guard in Borussia Dortmund’s attack center will become louder after the derby against FC Schalke 04 at the latest. While new signing Anthony Modeste disappointed again, youngster Youssoufa Moukoko became a hero with his winning goal.
The contrasting performances of the two attackers fueled the debates about the number one in the front line. What speaks for a striker change at BVB? Something against? A discussion.
In November 2020, Moukoko became the youngest Bundesliga debutant in history at the age of 16 years and one day. Almost two years and a record as the youngest derby goalscorer later, the highly talented attacker was just four times in Dortmund’s starting XI.
The fact that Moukoko only came off the bench again in the Revierderby caused the youngster to “be very angry because I wanted to play from the start”. The derby hero explained this to “Sky”. Will Moukoko be heard after the international break and make his fifth start in the Bundesliga? Or does Modeste continue to enjoy the trust of BVB coach Edin Terzic?
That speaks for Youssoufa Moukoko
The 17-year-old radiated the decisive goal threat, especially against Schalke. In less than half an hour, Moukoko produced four shots on goal – twice as many as Modeste in the previous 64 minutes. The Frenchman needs an average of 42 minutes for a shot on goal this season, Moukoko only 26. It has to be taken into account that the youngster improved his statistics significantly in the derby alone.
Nevertheless, BVB’s game benefited from the carefree nature of the Cameroonian. “Sometimes Edin has to slow me down too,” he revealed to “Sky”. Terzic himself praised his protégé, against Schalke Moukoko was “exactly where we want him to be,” explained the coach.
In the last few weeks, however, the youngster had been “too wild and a little too cerebral”. Most of his Joker performances (with the exception of the win in Freiburg) were not satisfactory. The tide turned in the derby against Schalke 04.
BVB game with Moukoko variable
“He’s really close and gives it his all in training,” assured sports director Sebastian Kehl to “Sport1”: “Mouki obviously deserved his chance and will get it.”
In any case, the youngster should bring freshness to the team. At the same time, the Dortmund game becomes more variable with the Moukoko player type. In addition to his speed and deep runs, the attacker also demonstrated hitherto undreamt-of header power over the weekend.
After seven matchdays, Moukoko is the best BVB scorer with two goals of the season. It’s a statistic that doesn’t reflect well on the Dortmund offensive in general – and on Modeste in particular.
That speaks for Anthony Modeste
Even if or precisely because the Frenchman only went on the hunt for goals for the middle-class clubs Hoffenheim and Cologne in the Bundesliga, there are 100 goals in 196 games. BVB can also benefit from this experience.
It should also be known that Modeste does not work in every environment. Even at his heart club Cologne, the attacker did not bring his undeniable qualities to the pitch under the wrong coaches (Beierlorzer, Gisdol).
The “feel-good footballer” Modeste therefore needs a certain starting time in Dortmund to get fully up to speed. Like Steffen Baumgart, under whom Modeste experienced a renaissance, Edin Terzic is also regarded as a man-catcher who can definitely be trusted to put his attacker on track.
Beginning of the changing of the guard? Moukoko came on for Modeste against Schalke
Although the Frenchman’s lack of goals overshadows everything, it should not be forgotten that Modeste plays an important role in Dortmund’s counter-pressing. Of all BVB players, the 34-year-old has the best tackling rate (57 percent), even far ahead of defensive man Nico Schlotterbeck (48 percent).
The upcoming opponent of the black and yellow also speaks for Modeste. On Saturday, October 1st, BVB will travel to Cologne for the away game. Against his former club, Modeste should be particularly motivated and willing to defend his place in the starting XI.
Those responsible in Dortmund deliberately only gave Modeste a one-year contract. On the one hand, BVB expects Haller to return by next season at the latest – possibly even in winter. “I just mentioned January. We hope that he will join the team sometime in the second half,” Kehl said of the Ivorian, who is suffering from cancer and who even trains moderately between his cycles.
On the other hand, a long-term Modeste commitment would have been a fatal sign to Moukoko, whose working paper expires next summer. Discussions with the jewel are ongoing, but an extension has not yet been fixed.
Kehl is still optimistic: “We are still the right club for him. Both parties know what they have from each other.” So the long-term perspective definitely speaks for Moukoko. And after the derby high, possibly even the short-term.
Tom Kuehner