Just over a year ago, with Jurgen Klopp still basking in the glow of running Bayern Munich so close in the Champions League final, the Borussia Dortmund manager declared his team were yet to hit their peak.
Klopp wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly when that would be but based on results in the Bundesliga this season, there is concern that the Black and Yellows reached their zenith some time ago.
Just 18 months after losing to a 89th-minute Arjen Robben winner at Wembley, Dortmund now lie bottom of the Bundesliga for the first time in 29 years.
They’ve won just three matches and lost eight – one more than their entire top-flight campaign last season, only two sides have conceded more goals away from home and their only league victory on the road was on August 29.
“You led us to succes and we will lead you through the crisis.” – Borussia’s fans to Jurgen Klopp
— Dr Ana HUEHUEHUE (@Goonerette_7) November 23, 2014
Ominously, the last time they were relegated from Germany’s top flight in 1971/72, they were two points better off at this stage. What appeared a blip, fuelled by injuries and bedding in new signings, is now the full-blown crisis few could believe was going to materialise.
At least there is realism with sporting director Michael Zorc yesterday declaring: “We’re in the middle of a relegation battle. That needs to be clear to everyone.”
Of all the goals they have conceded, the second to Eintracht Frankfurt (one win in five before their 2-0 victory on Sunday), was perhaps the most symbolic.
A hopeful punt forward saw a total breakdown in communication between Matthias Ginter and goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, the Dortmund defender not even checking where his No1 was, before planting a tame header into the path of Haris Seferovic to score.
Defensively they’ve been shambolic, brittle and disorganised at the back, but it’s been exacerbated with the sort of injury list that would surprise even Arsene Wenger.
In each of their 13 league games this season, Klopp has had to change his centre-back pairing eight times. The only thing consistent about his back four has been the injuries Mats Hummels, Nevan Subotic and Sokratis have suffered.
If you’re conceding regularly, you can often compensate for this damage at the other end. Dortmund have scored 80 goals or more in each of the last three seasons; this term, at their current ratio, they will muster just 37.
To soften the blow of Robert Lewandowski’s bitterly painful departure to Bayern, Ciro Immobile and Adrian Ramos were signed for a collective 27 million euros (Dh123.9m) but have yielded just four goals between them and neither playing consistently well enough to nail down a place as the starting No9.
Established as one of Europe’s most potent counter-attacking outfits, there has been a staleness to their play seldom seen since Klopp was appointed in 2008.
Which brings us onto the manager. Dortmund have always played in his image: vibrant, passionate and full of verve. Yet, on Sunday he was battling questions regarding his future and admitting the mood and confidence of his team is at its lowest in his six years in charge.
With a contract until 2018 and the confidence of his board, his position appears safe for now but results must improve quickly.
He has signed and developed the vast majority of this squad and knows these players better than anyone else. He’s the source of all their energy and dynamism, and therefore the one man who can restore it.
