Borussia Dortmund underperforming in the Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund snatched the top spot in Group F in the Champions League by pulling off a brilliant two-goal comeback against current holders Real Madrid, courtesy of goals from star players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus.

Their steely attitude was exactly what we have come to expect from the German club in the European competition this season, in which they have so far remained unbeaten with four wins and two draws. However, it has been a completely different story in the Bundesliga.

After an impressive first season under Thomas Tuchel last term, in which they finished second behind league heavyweights Bayern Munich, it seemed the gap between the two clubs would be even closer this term, given the captures of Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle throughout the summer. However, so far, it has been the likes of RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim challenging the current champions, while Borussia Dortmund have drifted along behind the leading pack.

Despite currently sitting in sixth place, 8 points off of league leaders Bayern, it hasn’t all been bad for Tuchel’s side. With a feared attacking unit containing the likes of Reus, Aubameyang, Schurrle, Ousmane Dembélé and the coveted 18-year-old winger Christian Pulisic, Dortmund have produced some fantastic displays, including a 6-0 thrashing of Darmstadt, 5-1 victory over Wolfsburg, 5-2 win over Hamburger SV and last week’s 4-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Yet, they have been unable to take momentum from these wins into the games that followed. Just when it appears that they are beginning to find their feet again after putting together a string of wins, their good form is halted by yet another unexpected defeat.

This inconsistency is the result of a squad that contains an abundance of talent in one half of the pitch, but is lacking in the other. While Dortmund’s red hot attack continues to put in their usual brilliant displays, a lack of options in defence is costing the club points this season. The sale of club captain Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich has hurt the club a lot more than they had expected, and despite pulling off some impressive deals in the transfer window, they ultimately failed to replace the centre-back.

Promising Spaniard Marc Bartra was purchased from Barcelona for €8 million to fill the gap. Yet, despite some impressive pre-season form, he has so far failed to impress this season. The largely inexperienced Matthias Ginter has been similarly lacklustre. While their defensive mistakes seem to be minor, they are having a big impact on the club’s season. Sokratis Papastathopoulos has performed well, yet without a decent partner in the centre of defence, Dortmund will continue to drop points this season, regardless of his form.

Tuchel will be eagerly awaiting the winter break and the commencement of the transfer window. The German boss was reluctant to pay out huge fees to land his targets during the summer, yet with the prospect of missing out on Champions League football next season a real possibility, Dortmund must do everything that they can to bolster their numbers at the back during the January window.