5 games played. 5 wins. 18 goals scored. 3 goals conceded. No, we aren’t talking about Bayern Munich’s start to yet another Bundesliga title, but rather, the return to form of their biggest threat over the past 5 years – Borussia Dortmund.
While the Bavarians have made an impressive start in their own right, it’s their rivals from further up north who have drawn all the plaudits with some irresistible football, under new head coach Thomas Tuchel. They have just achieved the best ever start in Bundesliga history, and it doesn’t look like they have any plans to stop.
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It’s a far cry from last season, when Jurgen Klopp’s men took until the winter break to register the same tally of 15 points and 18 goals scored. They were a mere shadow of the defiant Dortmund that dared challenge the might of Bayern.
Where they looked out of sorts at the back, they now look rock solid. Where they looked unimaginative and lethargic up front, they are now dominant and incisive. Where they had to apologize to their beloved fans, they now soak in the adulation.
“The Yellow Wall” is always a sight to behold, but this season has seen a truly electric atmosphere in every single game at the Westfalenstadion. The most passionate supporters in Germany have a very good reason to be singing again.
So, what exactly has been the reason for the resurgence of die Schwarzgelben? Pierre-Emerick “Auba” Aubameyang’s bid to be the perfect mix of Usain Bolt and Thierry Henry? Marco “Rolls Reus” finally shaking off his injury woes? Shinji Kagawa and Henrikh Mkhitaryan carving the opposition apart? All of the above, actually.
But, what about those unsung heroes who have made just as much of a contribution towards Dortmund’s resurrection from the ashes? Well, this one is for them.
Roman Burki
Roman Weidenfeller had a season to forget last year, as the Dortmund vice-captain was dropped in favour of Mitchell Langerak after a string of poor performances. While he did regain his place in the team, it was clear that the Dortmund icon had past his best and a new goalkeeper was one of the biggest priorities. Enter Roman Burki, signed from Freiburg for a paltry 3.5 million Euros. At this moment, most people not familiar with the Bundesliga went, “Who?”
5 games into the league season, the 24-year-old shows exactly why he was preferred over some better-known names. Conceding only 3 goals, and recording 3 clean sheets, while pulling off a string of impressive saves, he has been a steady presence at the back.
Steady though doesn’t mean passive. He earned the name “Amok (Rampant) Burki” during his time at Grasshoppers Club. The Swiss is looking like he could be the first choice at Dortmund for years to come, and before long could displace Yann Sommer as first choice for the national team, adding another icon to his list of displaced goalkeepers.
Matthias Ginter
Ahh, Matthias Ginter. Everyone’s favourite punching bag - after Ciro Immobile, of course - during the sub-par 2014-2015 season. While the Italian moved onto Sevilla in the summer, the 21-year-old Ginter was given another chance, albeit at right back, instead of his preferred position of centre back, and it has proven to be a true master stroke by Tuchel.
While he has been solid at the back, in a strong defensive unit, he has truly shined when going forward with some mazy and marauding runs down the right flank. Two goals and four assists have made the Freiburg native one of the first names on the team sheet.
Julian Weigl
Julian Weigl has been in immaculate form thus far. Playing next to Ilkay Gundogan, he has been the perfect foil for the German international, by covering superbly when Gundogan is further upfield, and keeping the play ticking with some silky passing, during the long spells of possession that Dortmund now have under Tuchel.
At best, he was expected to be cover for Sven Bender and Gonzalo Castro (purchased from Leverkusen for hefty 11 million Euros) following his move from 1860 Munich (where he was their youngest captain, aged just 18) but, Thomas Tuchel gave the 20-year-old his chance in the league opener against Gladbach, and there has been no looking back.
He plays with a maturity that belies his tender age, making some masterful interceptions, and with some great vision and balance, he is the epitome of what it means to be a German central midfielder.
A player with a very bright future and one who for me has been Dortmund’s best player so far this season.
Dortmund have been on fire this season, and it is no small part because of these three players, along with the headline grabbers.“Auba” says Bayern will not win the Bundesliga this season and looking at how things are shaping up, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s right.
