Form: In the chasing pack
Borussia Dortmund are currently fifth in the Bundesliga standings, four points behind Eintracht, with 43 from 26 rounds of matches. The Black-and-Yellows had a bumpy start to the second half of the season and although they appeared to have got back on track in recent weeks, a last-gasp 2-2 draw in Cologne just before the international break was as fortunate as it was disappointing for the side.
BVB may be falling short of their objectives in the league, but it is a different story in cup competitions. Edin Terzic’s side face Holstein Kiel in the DFB Cup semi-finals, while they meet Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last eight.
| Borussia Dortmund 2020/21 | |
|---|---|
| Stats | 13 wins, 4 draws, 9 defeats, 54:37 goal difference, 43 points, 5th in the table |
| Form | W-W-D-W-D |
| Goalscorers | Haaland (21), Sancho (6), Guerreiro (3), Hummels (3), Moukoko (3), Reus (3), Reyna (3), Akanji (2), Brandt (2), Can (1), Dahoud (1), Delaney (1), Hazard (1), Meunier (1), Passlack (1), Reinier (1) |
Tactics: Quick transitions
Terzic tends to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation. His charges are extremely good on the ball and invariably attempt to play out of their own half; their pass completion rate of 85 per cent is the best in Germany’s top flight this term. Dortmund’s primary strengths lie in their rapid counter-attacks, and their front line - spearheaded by Erling Haaland - is designed for speedy forward transitions.
One to watch: Mahmoud Dahoud
Mahmoud ‘Mo’ Dahoud has blossomed under Terzic in defensive midfield this season. He joined the club from Borussia Mönchengladbach in July 2017 but it is only now that he is truly emerging as a key player for the team. In his debut campaign in Dortmund, the 1.78m midfielder did manage 23 league appearances, but that figure dropped to 14 and 12 in the subsequent two seasons.
However, Dahoud has featured in every game since Matchday 19 this term and has started each of the last five. He sets the tempo in the middle of the park and covers plenty of ground too, averaging 12.46 kilometres per game.
