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| The three stars of Bundasliga Champions Borussia Dortmund "happen" to be Polish. Lewandowski, Piszczek and Blaszczykowski. |
Preamble: First and foremost, let me lead by admitting that running a blog has proven more timely than I considered, since I - unlike 75% of the media it seems - do make a conscious effort to fact-check. Initially I was hoping to pump out 3-4 entries per week. I think my realistic goal here-on-out will be 1-2 guaranteed entries per week. I am still hoping to pump out a weekend-review for the EPL's weekend (4) action but I might do a three-week-together (matchdays 3-5) lump next week sometime.
Borussia Dortmund. They are the Bundasliga's Barcelona - quick-passers, good extensive possession and a quick counter-attack. They have won the Bundasliga title two years running and completed a double last year, destroying Bayern Munich in the final 5-2. They have arguably some of the most passionate supporters in Germany - and Poland - and their appeal is growing worldwide. However despite looking like one of the world's top sides week-in and week-out in the Bundasliga, they really fell flat on their face in the Champions' League over their last two attempts. What are their chances this year? Let's break it down based on their opening games.
PROS:
Kagawa out, but Goetze and Reus In.
Losing one of the Bundasliga's top players to Manchester United would appear to be a blow to Borussia Dortmund. However, Jurgen Klopp didn't tear into his milk for long. One of the delightful "issues" that he had last year was in how to incorporate Wunderkidd Goetze into the side. With Pole Kuba in the form of his life, Kagawa providing a perfect link between Kuba and Lewandowski, it was hard to fit another attacking midfielder into the mix (Goetze's injuries last season also made the shuffling harder to attempt). However, Goetze is back in full fitness and ready to enjoy the attack. As an added bonus, Klopp used the Kagawa bundle to purchase Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach (where he alternated between striker / AMF to score 36 goals in 97 apperances from ages 20-23), one of the other most promising talents in the German player machine (to draw another Barca comparison; Reus came from their youth academy before going to another team and being purchased back for 17 million). Both players have fit into the team and developed an amazing relationship with Kuba, as well as midfield highlights Peresic and up-and-comer Gundogan (another young player I am impressed with).
Kuba Blaszczykowski's and Piszczek 's form.
Anyone who has watched Borussia Dortmund over the past two seasons might be forgiven for thinking they are watching a Polish game (minus, you know, the complete lack of consistency...) The Polish trio arguably - and not that hard of an argument - spearheaded last year's season's double. While Lewandowski is having a bit of slower start to the season, Kuba and Piszczek have found another gear this season for club and country. The overlapping run of the two on the right is one of the most effective counter-attacks I've seen! Piszczek's speed is really becoming apparant, as he frequently lays the ball of for Kuba, who then plays him into space & then Piszczek has developed an alarmingly accurate cross to find either Kuba, Lewy or newboys Reus or Goetze. This quick counter and cross is unlocking defenses effectively and I can see it being the key to qualifying out of the group of death, particularly against a shakey Real defense and a 3-man Man City defense. Kuba's stats are particularly impressive with four goals and two assists for club and country in this very early season; Pisczek has provided two assists and won a PK for his NT.
Mat Hummels and Subotic, defensive pairing.
Mat Hummels - while he had a howler against Italy in the Euros - is the top young German defender (notice a pattern yet?). Subotic is the the defensive partner to Serbia's Vidic for the Serbian NT. Combined they are providing to be quite the defensive pairing and should be able to contend with a lot of what the CL might throw at them, as long as Hummels doesn't get caught too far up field (what happened versus Italy). Their form this year, particularly verus Bayer Leverkussen is definitely a "plus".
*POTENTIAL* CONS:
Lewandowski's "disappearing" act & limited FW cover.
Lewandowski was the Bundasliga top scorer last year, scoring an impressive 30 goals. His off the ball movement can be very intelligent and his ability to link with his fellow Poles and formerly Kagawa is impressive. While he had a decent pre-season, his early season has seen him "disappear" for parts of the game, where he isn't as pro-active at appearing on the end of through-balls as he was last season. This behavior is especially - frusteratingly - evident in his performances for Poland. I do have faith that he will snap out of it and return to deadly form, once he develops the similar symbiosis with Reus and Goetze that he enjoyed with Kagawa. His stats aren't terrible however; with an assist and a goal to his name.
What could provide a genuine concern is injury to Lewandowski, with no suitable or logical replacement waiting in the wings. While Reus could push up to a striker role - or perhaps even Goetze - a dramatic loss of form or long-spell of injury for Lewy could really hinder BVB's European challenge.
Defensive depth.
Much like Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund is suffering from a noticeable lack of suitable defensive replacements if Piszczek, Hummels or Subotic gets injured. When Pisczek missed the game against Nurnberg, Borussia Dortmund looked shakey at the back - empty down the right wing - and a little sloppy defensively. This lack of depth will be something that will need to be addressed by Klopp in future transfer windows if Borussia Dortmund wants to become a dominant force in the Champions' League (a league with heavy injury tolls in the past few seasons).
Champtions League Prospects?
It is going to be very tough for all the teams in Group D. However as a commentator mentioned after their Bayer Leverkussen match: Borussia Dortmund is becoming "very European," and the players are showing signs of being very "mature and professional". With both Manchester City and Real Madrid (group and possibly tournament favorites) experiencing spotty form and signs of lack of cohesion in the squad, then perhaps Borussia Dortmund can be the surprise dark horse out of the group (and maybe the tournament). Klopp's team is becoming increasingly more like Barcelona in its playing style (quite distinctive from Bayern Munich's style) and perhaps this "winning" strategy will pay dividends for Borussia Dortmund. Here's hoping!
Borussia Dortmund. They are the Bundasliga's Barcelona - quick-passers, good extensive possession and a quick counter-attack. They have won the Bundasliga title two years running and completed a double last year, destroying Bayern Munich in the final 5-2. They have arguably some of the most passionate supporters in Germany - and Poland - and their appeal is growing worldwide. However despite looking like one of the world's top sides week-in and week-out in the Bundasliga, they really fell flat on their face in the Champions' League over their last two attempts. What are their chances this year? Let's break it down based on their opening games.
PROS:
Kagawa out, but Goetze and Reus In. Losing one of the Bundasliga's top players to Manchester United would appear to be a blow to Borussia Dortmund. However, Jurgen Klopp didn't tear into his milk for long. One of the delightful "issues" that he had last year was in how to incorporate Wunderkidd Goetze into the side. With Pole Kuba in the form of his life, Kagawa providing a perfect link between Kuba and Lewandowski, it was hard to fit another attacking midfielder into the mix (Goetze's injuries last season also made the shuffling harder to attempt). However, Goetze is back in full fitness and ready to enjoy the attack. As an added bonus, Klopp used the Kagawa bundle to purchase Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach (where he alternated between striker / AMF to score 36 goals in 97 apperances from ages 20-23), one of the other most promising talents in the German player machine (to draw another Barca comparison; Reus came from their youth academy before going to another team and being purchased back for 17 million). Both players have fit into the team and developed an amazing relationship with Kuba, as well as midfield highlights Peresic and up-and-comer Gundogan (another young player I am impressed with).
Kuba Blaszczykowski's and Piszczek 's form.
Mat Hummels - while he had a howler against Italy in the Euros - is the top young German defender (notice a pattern yet?). Subotic is the the defensive partner to Serbia's Vidic for the Serbian NT. Combined they are providing to be quite the defensive pairing and should be able to contend with a lot of what the CL might throw at them, as long as Hummels doesn't get caught too far up field (what happened versus Italy). Their form this year, particularly verus Bayer Leverkussen is definitely a "plus".
*POTENTIAL* CONS:
Lewandowski's "disappearing" act & limited FW cover.
What could provide a genuine concern is injury to Lewandowski, with no suitable or logical replacement waiting in the wings. While Reus could push up to a striker role - or perhaps even Goetze - a dramatic loss of form or long-spell of injury for Lewy could really hinder BVB's European challenge.
Defensive depth.
Much like Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund is suffering from a noticeable lack of suitable defensive replacements if Piszczek, Hummels or Subotic gets injured. When Pisczek missed the game against Nurnberg, Borussia Dortmund looked shakey at the back - empty down the right wing - and a little sloppy defensively. This lack of depth will be something that will need to be addressed by Klopp in future transfer windows if Borussia Dortmund wants to become a dominant force in the Champions' League (a league with heavy injury tolls in the past few seasons).
Champtions League Prospects?
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