With Bayern Munich in disarray after the recent sacking of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, Peter Bosz has an immense opportunity to win silverware with Borussia Dortmund in the 2017/18 Bundesliga season. Bosz, who joined from Eredivisie side Ajax in the summer is creating a huge impression on this Dortmund side with his attacking philosophy as they currently sit top of the league table.
Borussia Dortmund Making Significant Progress Under Peter Bosz
Borussia Dortmund’s History
Despite a difficult 2016/17 season culminating in Thomas Tuchel’s resignation, Dortmund still finished third in the Bundesliga. Securing a Champions League place. The Black and Yellow – who play at Signal Iguna Park, have won the Bundesliga eight times in their history. The last of these titles came under current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the 2011/12 season, their second of consecutive title winning campagins.
Dortmund’s best European season came in 1997 when they won the Champions League. Beating two-times winners Juventus 3-1 at the Olympiastadion in Munich. Under the stewardship of Ottmar Hitzfeld, Dortmund defeated the Italians thanks to two strikes from Karl-Heinz Riedle and a memorable effort from Lars Ricken.
Peter Bosz at Ajax
Although Ajax finished below Feyenoord in the Eredivisie last season, Bosz had a very impressive season. Recording wins over Bundesliga side Schalke and Ligue 1’s Lyon along the way to the Europa League final. The Dutch side then lost to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 2-0 in the final in Stockholm. Ajax had long admired Dutchman Bosz and his attacking philosophy whilst he was at Heracles and Vitesse Arnhem. In what is a very impressive youth system, many players blossomed under his leadership in Amsterdam. Such as recent Tottenham Hotspur signing Davinson Sanchez and new Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen.
Bosz Tactics
Bosz prefers a 4-3-3 formation and likes an attacking, possession-based game and presses opposition when the ball is lost. The Dutchman used this system at Ajax and matched the Dutch side’s philosophy of an attractive passing game. Bosz brought through youth players who followed this system. Bosz likes to play with a high defensive line to restrict the space for the opposition and to press whenever the opportunity arises. With these tactics, Dortmund have been able to utilise the attacking prowess of their star players.
Start to the 2017/18 season
With six wins and one draw, Dortmund have made a fantastic start to the season. They have already scored 21 goals and have only conceded two. Amongst these six wins were a 6-1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach and a 5-0 victory against Koln. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already scored eight goals in seven games whilst new signing Maximillian Phillip from Freiburg has four.
Dortmund haven’t replicated their league form in Europe where they have lost both games to begin their Champions League campaign. Firstly a 3-1 defeat at Wembley to Tottenham Hotspur followed by a defeat at home to defending champions Real Madrid. Dortmund’s attacking philosophy came unstuck in both games where they were hit hard on the break.
Possible Silverware
Dortmund are looking impressive under Bosz especially in the Bundesliga. With champions Bayern Munich in transition and Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig still progressing this might be the best chance of becoming champions in years. If Bosz is able to keep his side playing the way they have been so far, Dortmund will prove very hard to stop in 2017/18.
