In a six point match-up against the “RasenBallsport” Leipzig, where a win was needed to keep pace with a rampant Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund choked up. The game was reminiscent of the early matches
last season with aimless movement, poor defensive organization, and every creative attempt failing to go anywhere. If an improvement is not made soon, Dortmund will struggle to defeat the better teams in the league, and with that, their dreams of even challenging for the Meisterschale will evaporate.
The team was subpar today: Guirassy isolated for much of the match, Adeyemi continually failing with his dribbles, while the defense looked like floundering fish, with the wingbacks repeatedly dusted on the flanks. Luck felt like the man of the match, a series of deflections giving Dortmund their goal, wherein despite what must have been two dozen crosses into the box, Leipzig failed to get a decisive touch.
With the pessimistic rant over, the game wasn’t entirely a flop, just disappointing given the home-advantage and context of the duel. Dortmund gave up a key opportunity to get ahead of their competition, and for much of the match, looked the weaker side. A glimmer of hope exists in the substitutions, Leipzig was fortunate not to concede in the last fifteen minutes. In the end, this match ought to serve as a wake-up call for the team, that despite their good performances thus far, improvements are still necessary.
Leipzig Dominate the Flanks
For Leipzig, the game plan was quite evident, sit back and soak pressure, then launch transitional attacks with the wingers as their key outlet. While Dortmund’s wingbacks had a fair measure of success in the offence, their defensive work was appalling. Of Leipzig’s sixteen crosses, plus another dozen low passes from the flank, only two were blocked. All others made it through, where they were either met with scuffed shots, or desperate clearances from a shaky back line.
Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, substituted on in the 67th minute, was particularly effect in this regard. He was breaking ankles and making a mockery of Anton and Ryerson, and it took until the 85th minute for one of his dribbles to be stiffled. A relative unknown who made his professional breakthrough last season for CD Leganes, he only played ten professional matches for them before being procured for a whopping €20M. While the price tag is exorbitant given his limited history, it is a shame that Dortmund failed to acquire a creative player like him during the off-season.
Strong Counter-Press, but not much else
Dortmund’s only success this game, especially before the substitutes made their statements, was through a strong and tireless counter press. Led by a resurgent Marcel Sabitzer, the Dortmund midfield efficiently created numerous turn overs, which unfortunately ended there. Players who disappointed in all other fronts such as Maxi Beier, Felix Nmecha, and Daniel Svensson where active in pressuring Leipzig players the minute the ball touched their feet. In many cases, a Leipzig counter began with them losing the ball to the Dortmund counter-press, only for a sloppy pass to gift it straight back to them, undoing all the hard work.
The offense and defense were a massive let down for the team, looking lost, disarrayed and uncoordinated throughout the match. The attacking trio of Adeyemi, Guirassy, and Beier, for all their hard running and forward thinking, could not string together an effective attack for the life of them. Dribbles led to their opponents feet, passes sent flying on hopes and prayers alone, and shots were non-existent (A whopping total of two shots from the trio). The defense was not much better, with desperate defending in the box halting Leipzig’s efforts. Communication and decision making was especially horrendous in the first half, with the doubly unmarked assist provider and goal scorer in the lone Leipzig goal, and the egg-headed positioning of Schlotti in the mercifully offside goal. While Schlotti grew into the game and slightly redeemed himself, the defense cannot continue to play like this.
Substitutes make a Strong Case
At least a few of our worries have been dispelled through this game. Jobe Bellingham and Fabio Silva, both under pressure to perform due to their price tags, put in good displays this match for their limited cameos. Both could have had a goal, were it not for some solid last ditch defending from Leipzig. Meanwhile, both Pascal Groß and Julian Brandt reinvigorated the team with their introductions, creating an enjoyable final fifteen minutes of the match where it seemed that maybe three points were achievable.
Alas, it was not meant to be, and the game ended in a draw. Kovac has some thinking to do after this match, and shares some of the blame for the failure to earn a victory at home. It was obvious the team was struggling in the first half, and while a change was made in the 60th minute, Ryerson’s substitution was ineffective at addressing the key concerns. Along with improving on their defensive coordination and offensive passing, better changes are needed for matches in the future where Dortmund find themselves floundering. One can only hope that the coach has realized this, before key match ups against difficult opponents in the near future. Der Klassiker looms, and if improvements are not made, its gonna be a long night under the lights of the Allianz Arena.
How did you feel about this match? Is all hope lost, or is this just a temporary blip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
