Dortmund look set to Become Bayern’s Main Rivals Once Again

Of course the visitors had lost two key signings over the summer – Max Kruse to Wolfsburg while midfield regular Christoph Kramer returned to Leverkusen from a loan session in the offseason as well. Yet Lucian Favre’s men are known to be dogged and rigid in their application, a challenge that Dortmund met with surprising ease.

Even though Wolfsburg is expected to push Bayern to the limit once again, Dortmund certainly has the potential to exceed expectations. Thomas Tuchel looks to have given Dortmund a mini-rebirth after Jurgen Klopp’s seven-season stint managing the Dortmund side ended last season. This alone can give Dortmund the edge in terms of being an unpredictable side against teams that expected the usual high-press, counterattacking football that Jurgen Klopp’s side was well known for. Such a dynamic could give Dortmund flexibility and thus pick up points against sides where they had failed to pick up against last season. Teams will find it a bit harder to set up properly against Tuchel’s new look Dortmund side this time around.

The Europa League can off course become a hindrance for the team, however it wouldn’t be as dangerous a balancing act had Dortmund been in the Champions League this season. Tuchel rightfully should pull his resources into the Bundesliga foremost, as a return to CL football will undoubtedly be the short-term goal for the new manager - whereas the likes of Wolfsburg, Monchendgladbach, and Leverkusen (even Bayern themselves) certainly will have to look at both competitions much more equal respect. Where these teams will certainly tire as a result (some more than others), Dortmund can take advantage.

Depth is also one of Dortmund’s advantages over their fellow rivals (bar perhaps Bayern). The majority of the team that featured against Gladbach looks set to be Tuchel’s chosen first XI for this season. However this is a side that can still call upon the likes of Jakub Blaszczykowski, Nuri Sahin, Roman Weidenfeller, Gonzalo Castro, and Sven Bender to put in sufficient displays against the majority of the Bundesliga’s opponents. Marco Reus will undoubtedly be the main star again, however he will have massive help from Aubameyang, Shinji Kagawa, and Mkhitaryan to chip in goals and assists. This is somewhat of a far cry from Wolfsburg, as they will most likely rely heavily on Kevin De Bruyne (if he is not sold to Manchester City, of course) to conduct and contribute most of the play. Players like Schurrle and Max Kruse can make a difference on their day, but De Bruyne will have the majority of the creativity contribution placed on his shoulders.

Dortmund were very impressive on match day 1 of the new season against a capable opponent, now all eyes will be whether or not they can continue that momentum. With the right conditions in place, Thomas Tuchel’s side can perhaps have the sort of season similar to the one Liverpool enjoyed in the 2013/2014 edition of the EPL.

Michael Skok
Football Editor for
Polish-American Portal www.Poland.us
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