Six Takeaways From Dortmund’s 16/17 Season
By Mark Sendon
What a whirlwind season it was for Dortmund this year. With Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading a Champions League push at the end of the season, Dortmund ended what has been an eventful year on a high note.
There still is the DFB-Pokal Cup Final for Dortmund, but this season has already had enough drama to suffice fan’s attention. As we head into the summer season, it is time for Dortmund fans to reflect on the year’s events.
Here are six things that Dortmund and their fans can take away from this past campaign.
1. A Star is Born in Ousmane Dembele
When Borussia Dortmund outfoxed Europe to sign Frenchman Ousmane Dembele for 15,00 Million € in the summer of 2016, few knew the impact he would have this season. The 19-year-old foreshadowed his skills victimizing Marcos Rojo in the preseason, leaving the Argentine on the floor before blasting one past Sergio Romero.
A year later it is easy to see why all of Europe wanted to sign him, scoring nine goals along with providing 21 assists on the campaign. Even Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledges how special the kid from Vernon, France is by handing him the keys to “Die Borussen’s” offense allowing him to roam freely.
From an incredible solo effort assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Augsburg to crushing arch-rival Bayern Munich’s hearts in the DFB Pokal, Dembele’s rise from “wunderkind” to superstar is one that the “Yellow Wall” will appreciate for a long time.
Lesson learned: Take a seat and watch a once in a generation player develop in front of 80,000 strong.
2. Another Star is Born in Christian Pulisic
As if one eventual Balon D’Or winner is not enough, Borussia Dortmund also possesses the biggest American talent the footballing world has ever seen.
“Die Schwarzgelben” quietly snatched up Christian Pulisic in February of 2015 joining from Hershey, Pennsylvania on a free transfer. Fast forward two years and the American’s progress in a squad of veterans has been everything but surprising. With hard work, Pulisic earned his place in Dortmund’s weekly team despite rumors of a loan move early in the 2016 season.
Applying his trade primarily on the wing, Pulisic’s pace and quick feet leave defenders in the dust, dishing out 11 assists up to this point in the season. With partner in crime Ousmane Dembele, the two will lead Dortmund’s attack for years to come.
Lesson learned: “The kid” has 51 appearances for Dortmund at eighteen, yes, eighteen. Get used to the name; he will be around for a while.
3. Marco Reus is Vital to Dortmund’s Success
Another year of frustration for Marco Reus missing 26 matches this campaign due to injury.
A fit Marco Reus is arguably the best attacker in the Bundesliga and maybe even one of the best in Europe. Only playing 23 games this season, Reus tallied thirteen goals and eight assists up to this point contributing a goal or assist almost every game he has played.
Dortmund has only lost four of the twenty games Reus has appeared in, significantly boosting the team’s quality when inserted in the lineup. It makes one” wonder about the type of numbers he would produce and where Dortmund would be on the table if he manages to stay fit for a full season.
Lesson learned: At this point, Marco Reus is a luxury if he is fit then expect a dominant performance. Keyword, if.
4. Michael Zorc Dominated the Summer Once Again
The transfer wizard known as Michael Zorc was back at it again for Dortmund in the summer of 2016 overhauling the squad with eight new players.
The trio of Ousmane Dembele, Raphael Guerreiro, and Marc Bartra all arrived at BVB for under 40,00 Mill. €, now appearing as a bargain all playing vital roles for Dortmund. Bringing back prodigal son Mario Gotze for 22,00 Million €, 15 million less than what he went for in 2014, might pay off in the long run.
Gotze will never return to the exciting #10 role he once owned but rather a deep lying playmaker working hard on defense. Only time will tell if the move will pan out. Emre Mor and Mikel Merino both played sporadic roles this season but will be expecting more play time next season.
Maybe a loan would suit Turkish international Mor while Merino started to feature in Tuchel’s plans as the season went on. 30,00 Mill. € for Andre Schurrle maybe was a tad excessive but adds needed experience to a youthful Dortmund squad.
Lesson learned: Zorc captured Swedish wunderkind Alexander Isak for 8,60 Mill. € in January while securing the signatures for next season of potential star Mahmoud Dahoud and battle tested Omer Toprak for a combined 24,00 Mill. €. Always have faith in Michael Zorc.
5. Appreciate What We Have
The football world was shocked by the news of an explosion on the Borussia Dortmund team bus, injuring player Marc Bartra forcing an immediate surgery calling off their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match versus Monaco.
A market coup to profit off the potential deterioration of Borussia Dortmund’s stock, the motive for potentially ending players careers and unimaginably taking lives along the way. It is unfortunate this world harbors the scum seeking vermin, who seek, a material gain of the lives of innocent people, who make a living by entertaining the masses through the beautiful game that is football.
Lesson learned: Times like these teach us to appreciate life and all it has to offer because no day is guaranteed, a lesson the city of Dortmund almost had to find out the hard way.
6. Next Season Could Be the Best in Years
If there is one thing, Dortmund can look forward to it is the future. BVB possess the best young talent in world football at the moment, and can only get better from here.
Ousmane Dembele, Julian Weigl, and Christian Pulisic all had fantastic seasons and are seeking to build upon their success next season. This season was about the development of Tuchel’s future stars, mixing them in with the experienced veterans that have been the face of Dortmund for years.
Defense still is the main issue at BVB although the signing of Omer Toprak from Leverkusen should help in the back. No need to worry about the man in between the sticks as Swiss international Roman Burki had the breakout season expected after a disappointing first campaign.
The midfield looks as bright as ever, with Weigl setting up shop allowing Raphael Guerreiro and Mahmoud Dahoud to express themselves going forward. Add that in with a front line of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marco Reus, Ousmane Dembele, Christian Pulisic and Tuchel’s boys appear ready to challenge anyone in Europe.
Lesson learned: Patience is a virtue; especially with this Dortmund squad. The growing pains of this season will be outshined by what we will see at the Signal Iduna Park next season.