A Borussia Dortmund Resurgence
Under the guidance of world class managers Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich have built a dynasty over the last four years. They have continuously retained the Bundesliga Meisterschale and dominating the DFB Pokal, winning three out of the last four editions. Borussia Dortmund have been Bayern’s closest rivals on the pitch but are still unable to match the Bavarian side’s greatness. A few signings and some positive management could change that for the better. Borussia Dortmund’s resurgence is underway.
Enter Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel took over from Jürgen Klopp in 2015, hoping to better the feats of his predecessor. Dortmund were undergoing a slump in Klopp’s final campaign, finishing in seventh place and missing out on Champions League qualification. However, the dark cloud over the Rhine-based club was cleared with Tuchel’s brand of attacking, attractive football. This has brought Dortmund back to where they belong: the Champions League.
Tuchel’s Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga last season and were runners-up in the DFB Pokal. Tuchel has made good use of the club’s revenue. He’s signed eight players with supreme quality and flair help the side finish above their Bavarian rivals.
The New Dortmund
Ousmane Dembélé was signed early on in the window from French side, Stade Rennais, to add more width to Borussia Dortmund’s attacks. The 19-year-old had an impressive season which involved 12 goals and five assists in 26 Ligue 1 appearances. His goal against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly was an early indication of his blooming quality. He’ll be joined by André Schürrle on the other flank, who moves from VfL Wolfsburg. The winger endured a relatively below-par 18 months at Die Wölfe. However, he has enough experience and ability to fire this youthful Dortmund side to great successes.
André Schürrle will be joined by Mario Götze in midfield. This combination won the World Cup for Germany in 2014, with Schürrle providing the cross for Götze’s goal. Götze returns to the club where he made a huge name for himself after three disappointing years at Bayern Munich. He failed to make a significant impact in several positions. Regaining his old form will make displacing his former employers a simpler task.
A player Götze will be familiar with is Sebastian Rode, who also signs from Bayern Munich. The defensive midfielder was signed by the Bavarians from Eintracht Frankfurt but played a secondary role to Xabi Alonso and Arturo Vidal. His blossoming talent impressed Guardiola and Tuchel believes he is the right man to replace İlkay Gündoğan. Emre Mor is recognized as one of Turkey’s greatest talents in recent years and was regarded their best player at the European Championships. At 19, the Danish-born midfielder could be huge in years to come.
Borussia Dortmund have a reputation of developing centre-halves. Mats Hummels, Neven Subotić, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos became top quality defenders in recent years. Marc Bartra was signed from Spanish champions Barcelona to replace the departed Hummels and form a formidable combination together with Papastathopoulos. The 25-year-old has huge shoes to fill, but his talent and composure should do him well as he looks to make a name for himself.
Raphaël Guerreiro was one of the best young players at the Euros and was signed from French side, FC Lorient. The left back’s attacking flair will be an asset to Tuchel’s plans. He was immense for Portugal as they were successful at the Euros and will be equally important for the Dortmund. Another addition to the side was Spanish 20-year-old midfielder, Mikel Merino who signed from Osasuna. The player has massive potential, with an eye for attack that Dortmund will seek to unearth.
Dortmund have brilliant players already. This includes last season’s second-highest goal scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, midfielders Shinji Kagawa and Gonzalo Castro and newly-appointed captain Marco Reus. The youthful brilliance includes Julian Weigl and Christian Pulisic, both of whom had important roles.
New players and the current squad can surely provide the sternest of challenges to Carlo Ancelotti‘s Bayern Munich team. The exits of Mats Hummels, İlkay Gündoğan, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been smartly replaced. So, Dortmund can challenge once again for the Bundesliga and Champions League.
