The Thomas Tuchel revolution at BVB

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  • Tuchel has enjoyed a fine start at Dortmund.

    Jurgen Klopp’s resignation as Borussia Dortmund coach in May was the end of an era and fans looked ahead to the new term more in hope than expectation that time away from the top would allow them to begin a painful ascent back into contention for silverware.

    — Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) August 24, 2015

    But Dortmund have refused to start the season quietly. Die Schwarzgelben have opened the new Bundesliga campaign with a bang and a crash, the sound of records tumbling under new boss Thomas Tuchel. The German coach’s stock is soaring, along with BVB at the top of the table, after consecutive 4-0 wins over Borussia Monchengladbach and then Ingolstadt – the best start of any Dortmund manager to date.

    There was something in those results, aside from the scoreline, that spoke of an immense superiority. And though Dortmund finished six places behind champions Bayern Munich last season, their latest performances have given their title hopes newfound credibility.

    Here are five reasons BVB are top, and can stay there:

    – EPL: Made in Chelsea… or Vitesse? Blues’ 26 loan stars
    – AGL: Bani Yas mage enquiry for Villa’s Charles N’Zogbia

    – Al Ahli: Fardan believes side’s confidence is better than ever
    – #360view: Balotelli is the Premier League’s worst transfer

    1) TACTICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

    Eight goals in two games has been the best goalscoring return of the Bundesliga so far, and a tally only surpassed at the club by the 1994-95 Dortmund vintage led by Ottmar Hitzfeld. But it would be unfair to attribute their time at the top so far solely on them having the best attack in the league, because they have the best defence too. No goals conceded at this stage had been achieved just once before, under Matthias Sammer in 2001.

    Their record at both ends of the field form the catalyst of any resurgence, with the effectiveness of Tuchel’s tactics coming to the fore. The squad had been quick to identify with the former Mainz man’s methods and ideas emphasising more measured build-up play, after being exposed to the devastating shortcomings of Vollgasveranstaltung (literally meaning “full speed event”) and gegenpressing in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.

    A side that had previously looked devoid of vision when given possession by opponents and forced to break down deep-lying backlines has been transformed in this manner. BVB have focused efforts on learning to navigate the flow and ebb of proceedings over 90 minutes. And even though they’ve been learning how to control games, that hasn’t meant they’ve forgotten how to kill them either, still breaking forward at lightning speed on the counter – only now, with real variety to their approach.

    A 4-1-4-1 has brought balance in offensive and defensive phases, with the awareness of Mats Hummels foreclosing any danger at the back. The star centre-back will continue being key for his side if they are to continue replacing the comic collapses of last season with a real ruthless streak.

    2) NEW COACH, NEW MOTIVATION

    Hummels has often been hungrier than most, but he has admitted his appetite – quite literally – held him back after Germany’s World Cup win: “The first half of the 2014-15 season was a disaster for me in relation to my weight – I tend to comfort eat when I am frustrated.” Interest from the Premier League growing along with his waistline, Hummels seriously contemplated leaving, until Tuchel intervened with the promise of helping him rediscover his motivation.

    “I spoke with Tuchel during the phase where I was still considering my future. I really liked what he said back then and how he said it. He addressed my personal mistakes right away,” Hummels said in July. “If a coach wants me to stay, I really like it if he doesn’t try to sugarcoat things but finds clear words. After the talk I had the feeling that working with him can make me stronger again. Now I weigh a lot less and have returned in much better shape than in 2014.”

    Fellow lynchpin Ilkay Gundogan also ended speculation over his future, penning a new contract shortly after Tuchel arrived. Initially vilified as a mercenary by BVB’s passionate support, he has enjoyed a sheltered existence under the new coach and has paid him back with several standout performances. The 2011 and 2012 title veterans, together with fit-again Marco Reus, have steadily regained their mental and physical clout and been assured in their contributions, leaving little doubt their renewed competitive edge is interlinked with Tuchel’s presence.

    3) FULL MARKS FOR SUMMER

    Tuchel was keen to avoid the transfer speculation and off-the-pitch distractions that dogged the squad in Klopp’s final season. Stars had been in two minds about staying, and that was hurting performances on the field. Unwilling to inherit the problems of his predecessor, Tuchel rapidly convinced them Dortmund could match their ambitions.

    With the futures of the most-coveted members of his squad sewn up, the Tuchel then identified targets that could help the club bridge the gap at the top. Credit lies with BVB for recognising the basis for success already lay within the club. Instead of abandoning Klopp’s foundations, they enhanced them. Plenty went wrong during Klopp’s final year but a lot more had gone right before that; fresh blood was added, but the team’s core remained.

    The semi-significant signings that arrived as part of such a policy, such as former Freiburg goalkeeper Roman Burki and teenage midfielder Julian Weigl, packed little to no star power. Still, the pair already look like they could be keystones in the new Dortmund side, both turning in performances that belie their years.

    4) PRESSURE OFF REUS

    Weigl in particular has impressed at the base of midfield, 1860 Munich’s youngest-ever captain a polished user of the ball with genuine ability to dictate the game around him. His manager’s trust has seen him established ahead of Sven Bender and Gonzalo Castro in the pecking order early on. The 19-year-old’s authoritative displays have certainly proven he is capable of withstanding the pressures that come with wearing the Dortmund shirt – and other members throughout the team have followed suit.

    The once-maligned Henrikh Mkhitaryan also appears to have found his feet under Tuchel. The talented attacking midfielder once seemed to be playing within himself, but now steps onto the field with a decisiveness that makes him arguably the brightest spark of the season along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. More duties in the team are now the club record signing’s own, and the added responsibility has him feeling more involved and confident than before.

    Indeed, the burden of carrying the team alone has been removed from Reus’ shoulders. The collective is charged with that duty now, and clearly prevailing; the 20 goals scored in six competitive matches this campaign has been spread among no less than six scorers. Quantity has a quality of its own, and it has Dortmund riding a wave of optimism.

    5) PSYCHOLOGICAL EQULIBRIUM

    Such a start was possible because Dortmund began without the burden of expectations due to last season’s low league finish and a minimal transfer outlay. After doling out in excess of €50 million (Dh209m) the previous two summers, the low-key window will have seen just one notable arrival in Castro, lifting a pressure to perform that had previously stifled the squad.

    Tuchel has coaxed Dortmund into expressing themselves as once before, and the right results and momentum has translated that into the players’ renewed confidence in their own means. The 41-year-old boss has transmitted a type of steel to his charges. When once their mental frailties would have seen them fold at the first sign of difficulty, they are instead persevering through all 90 minutes now.

    “The lads have managed to get the idea out of their heads that just because we don’t take our chances, that means we’re going to concede,” Tuchel said last weekend. His positivity will be key to Dortmund having the courage to punch above their weight; the mentality that new situations which inevitably crop up this term will also provide new solutions, imparted. “We haven’t reached our limit yet, but to be frank, I don’t know where our limit is,” Tuchel said at the start. Everyone believes BVB are back. It’s time they do the same.

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