It has been an erratic start to the 2019 Ruckrunde campaign for Borussia Dortmund, who, earlier this month, blew their nine-point lead at the beginning of this calendar year and are now trailing league leaders Bayern Munich due to an inferior goal difference.
There have been many reasons behind Dortmund’s demise during the second half of the campaign, most notably, the injuries to players like Lukasz Piszczek, Manuel Akanji, Marco Reus among many others which has seen them struggle with problems regarding their lack of fitness over the past few months.
While Piszczek is still facing a spell on the sidelines alongside Maximilian Philipp and Axel Witsel, who, however, is expected to return after the international break, the returning Reus, Akanji and Zagadou have looked out of pace, at times.
Added to that, star performers like Paco Alcacer and Achraf Hakimi haven’t quite been able to replicate their fiery form in the Hinrunde. Alcacer, in particular, has scored only two goals since the turn of the year, after initially plundering 13 goals during the first half of the campaign.
Hakimi, according to many experts, is seemingly becoming “affordable” for BVB, following an astonishing start to the season. Indeed, the Real Madrid loanee hasn’t quite been effective in his offensive support while his defensive game has been far from impressive, leaving Dortmund rue the absence of Piszczek.
Therefore, the lack of a proper goalscorer, a plethora of injuries in the defensive department, the sudden loss of form of star midfielders have all added up to Dortmund’s miserable Ruckrunde campaign so far this year. But, at the same time, the Black and Yellows still have a reasonable chance of landing their first Bundesliga title in seven years.
The Ruhrpott giants have shown signs of improvement in recent matches, notably winning three of their last four Bundesliga outings. Their most recent win against Hertha Berlin, for example, exemplified coach Lucien Favre’s philosophy as the team was persistent in breaching the opposition defence, despite conceding silly goals.
Furthermore, Reus has shown signs of his old self in recent weeks, which is coupled with the resurgence of Alcacer, who has netted in his last two Bundesliga matches. And as we head into the first international break of this calendar year, coach Favre will have time to address some of Dortmund’s main issues, especially from a tactical perspective.
Marius Wolf, for one, has emerged as an appealing option in the right-back position and the former Eintracht Frankfurt man should definitely be given a chance to shine as his tenacity and work-ethic could tune in well with Favre’s philosophy at Dortmund.
It would also allow Hakimi to occupy the left-back position, meaning the Swiss mastermind will have the privilege of starting with his trusted defensive duo of Akanji and Abdou Diallo.
Another key change should be made in midfield, where Favre needs to offer Julian Weigl with more first-team opportunities. The German international has improved his physicality and all-round game and could be a decent alternative for Thomas Delaney, who has looked rusty for the most part of the Ruckrunde.
Borussia Dortmund will host VfL Wolfsburg in their next game, just after the international break, after which, they will lock horns with league leaders Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena – a game that would have a grave impact on the title race.
Dortmund were excellent in the reverse fixture earlier this season and having been knocked out in both UEFA Champions League and DFB Pokal; the Black and Yellows will have nothing to lose as they aim to put to an end to Bayern’s winning circle in the Bundesliga this season.
