Dortmund relinquishing the legacy left behind by Klopp
After a bland 0-0 tie against Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund bounced back with a thrilling 4-2 victory against Heidenheim. For the first time, BVB hinted at what might be achievable under new coach Nuri Şahin and the revamped squad. However, they're not the greatest BVB of all time just yet. Despite skeptical queries.
Everyone knows these individuals. They seemingly emerge from nowhere. They've been gone for years, living their lives peacefully, and everything is okay. Then suddenly, life throws a curveball, triggering a flurry of recollections. That's exactly what happened to Borussia Dortmund supporters last night. The 4-2 (3-1) triumph against Heidenheim at the Signal Iduna Park ignited a feeling that only farewell games could evoke. For you, dear readers of ntv.de, we will now address the most important questions regarding BVB.
Are we witnessing the best BVB of all time? Anyone beginning with this question clearly lacks comprehension. Anyone initiating a conversation with this question is merely attempting to provoke. This question cannot be answered. Not following three games in a fresh season. And not following a 4-2 triumph against Heidenheim. But that's just how these individuals behave.
Greetings! It was the first Bundesliga victory against Heidenheim for BVB. It was the third encounter with Heidenheim. It had to happen eventually. However, the ferocious manner in which BVB assaulted the Conference League contender in the initial 20 minutes was noteworthy.
Karim Adeyemi shone particularly brightly. Seven goals in three games. Five for the U21, and two for BVB. What transpired with him? Adeyemi falls into the category of those players who can easily driving observers to despair. It's not the successful outings that bring on this despair, but the inconsistency that often hovers near the brink of arrogance, making it even more prominent. Julian Brandt also grappled with these crises. He needed several years to solidify his present role. Brandt rarely drives people to despair these days. He simply plays his game, perhaps evolving into Borussia Dortmund's new poster boy, the player internationally synonymous with the club. That's still a lengthy journey for Adeyemi, but at least he's moving in the right direction.
"My goal was to help the team, of course, win, but also gain a bit of self-confidence for myself, score goals or assists. I accomplished that, and I'm delighted about it," Adeyemi said following his five goals for the U21: "That should be my standard." A seemingly arrogant statement, but the 22-year-old backed it up with two goals and an assist. Adeyemi, depleted by coach Nuri Şahin on the left wing, exhibited both his speed and intelligence, netting twice with his weaker right foot. "The coach trusted me today, and I showed him that I'm here," Adeyemi said, uttering the usual remarks of footballers. The position doesn't matter to him, "as long as it's offensive," and then all will be well.
In the system presented on Friday, with Guirassy as the central decoy striker who can create space and around whom other attackers can play, Adeyemi unquestionably felt comfortable.
Is a number 9 now playing around it? Of course not. But the former Stuttgart player could already hint at his talents in his initial outing. "He brought us so much: his presence, the number of balls he secured, how often he was fouled, how proficiently he played," praised Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl. Guirassy himself remained humble: "I must focus on my fundamentals first. Three months without playing is an extended absence," said the 28-year-old, whose transfer to BVB was momentarily jeopardized due to a knee injury. "I can't be at one hundred percent yet. I need more games to attain that," he said, and inadvertently everyone also pondered "more goals." His debut goal following an acrobatic scissor kick was disallowed by Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Müller. Otherwise, however, it was an impressive debut for his Dortmund career despite some severe mishaps.
Maxi Beier, the latest addition, seemed totally detached. He can't contribute to BVB's game. Is he the next Hoffenheim flop in BVB colors? The 21-year-old Beier last featured in the second division for Hannover 96 over a year ago. After his remarkable season with Hoffenheim, several clubs vied for the young international player. However, he will need time to adapt to the significant leap from a second-tier team to a global powerhouse. Hopes are high that he and Guirassy will eventually form a formidable partnership.
Back to Adeyemi. He's certainly excelled at that. He performed significantly better than Maxi Beier. Will he now rejoin the German national team? "Inshallah," Adeyemi said following the game, establishing the path. If it doesn't work out for the A-team, the confident striker would be content with further appearances in the U21. His self-confidence will be grateful for it. But until then, there are still some games with this new BVB on the schedule.
Could ex-coach Jürgen Klopp potentially influence the new BVB? He was present at the stadium last week in his coach role. The farewell match of iconic players Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski brought Klopp back to Borsigplatz. The gathering of the 2010s decade's elite was an iconic game, following classic English sports traditions. Major clubs often celebrate their past stars and pack the stadium for such events. In essence, the past requires the future, yet it needs a significant confrontation with history to truly embody that. This was lacking in Dortmund for a considerable time.
The lingering hope of Klopp's return and the nostalgia of his successful tenure clouded Borussians' judgement for quite some time. That was no longer the case under coach Edin Terzić, neither is it under Sahin now. The early game of Dortmund suggested that Sahin's football strategy aligns and thrives under Klopp's. Pressing tactics, high ball wins, swift transitions – these were all impressive. "The new generation is present," Klopp noted in Dortmund. "If I can offer guidance and assistance to the youngsters, I'd be delighted. However, I wouldn't want their shoes right now." He no longer carries that burden. That was a stark realization from the farewell match.
The match also marked Mats Hummels' departure. Now under contract in Rome, Hummels is akin to Hannes Wader in German football – he was always traveling from one place to another this summer, barely present yet had to leave hastily. Bologna, Brighton, Mallorca, Madrid, San Sebastián – the world was open for the top-tier defender. Everybody longed to secure the 2024 Ballon d'or candidate, but ultimately, Hummels chose Rome. He remains a Borussia supporter, evident in his last Instagram post.
With a 3:2 score in favor of Borussia, Hummels' Borussia came close to defeating Heidenheim and rejoiced. He now focuses on the Italian league, where he has his first match in Genoa on Sunday. His departure was a welcome change for Borussia, despite Waldemar Anton missing his opportunity with the Heidenheimers' first goal and Niklas Süle causing the penalty for the second guest goal with his unfortunate clearance.
Emre Can remains a part of the team but spent most of the match on the bench. He later stepped in and scored a penalty. "Every footballer desires to play in every game," Can told reporters following the match. "I accept my role as a substitute. The team comes first and prevails above everything. I give my best in training and seek to contribute positively when I come in. The season is still young, and there are crucial games ahead where I will take the field, so no worries." He then complimented Pascal Groß and also praised Felix Nmecha, hinting at a possible role in his second season at Dortmund, something he couldn't achieve in his first season.
Marcel Sabitzer and Julien Duranville remained bench warmers, but Duranville recently represented Belgium in the national team, but is yet to see playing time in Dortmund. This is good news for Borussia Dortmund. With the Champions League kickoff in Bruges, they seek to impress and hopefully advance past the round of 16 without having to go through the group stage. To achieve this, they need to rank among the top eight clubs at the end of their league phase. They at least have a strong midfield and offensive lineup to back them up.
So is this now the best BVB since Klopp's departure? I deem this Q&A session concluded based on this sole question.
Given the current form of Borussia Dortmund, it's important to consider their position in the Football league. As of now, they're placing well, which is a good sign.
Regarding the football league, Borussia Dortmund is currently ranked high, suggesting a strong and competitive team performance.
