Dortmund Hammer Hannover: Key talking points from Borussia Dortmund’s 5-1 win over Hannover

Mario Götze: The prodigal son pays dividends

A lot can be said about Mario Götze’s form for Borussia Dortmund since returning from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2016, and not all of it would be positive. He, like Marco Reus, has been a victim of setbacks that have in many ways stunted his career in the eyes of many.  The setback that tested him most perhaps. however, was the diagnosis of a metabolic disorder that saw him sidelined from action for much of the second half of the 2016/2017 season. He fought through this hurdle and came back under Peter Bosz. While there were glimpses of his form from season’s past, it was clear that issues with his health and lack of playing time during his stint at Bayern Munich had taken their toll. To add to this, the three coaches he had played under since returning to Dortmund, namely Thomas Tuchel, Peter Bosz, and Peter 2.0, (Peter Stöger) had failed to find a role that fit Götze properly. Then the 2018/19 season began, and along comes Lucien Favre. While Götze still found it hard to break into the starting 11, Favre has seemingly found a position where he can get the most out of Götze’s skills and ability, and that position is as a false 9.

Curiously enough, Favre is not the first manager to try and play Götze in this position. In a preview of Dortmund’s game against FC Union Berlin in the DFB Cup earlier this season, Manuel Veth of the Futbolgrad Network was one of the first to highlight the potential of Favre being the first to actually succeed in transforming Götze into a false 9. While there had been attempts by the likes of Germany International Coach Joachim Löw to play Götze in this position in the past, Götze never seemed fully at ease when leading the attack. Veth, however, was quick to highlight Favre’s ability to convert players into strikers, citing the examples of both Lars Stindl and Raffael, which Favre successfully converted into attacking talents during his time at Borussia Mönchengladbach. It would seem that this prediction has come to fruition, with this game being a prime example of the wonders Favre has worked on Götze.

This particular game saw Götze play a pivotal role in claiming all three points. His unyielding work-rate was on display for all to see, with Dortmund’s prodigal son often dropping deep to support in the creation of attacking opportunities. Götze’s creative side was especially emphasized in the 15th minute when the infamous interplay between Götze and Reus almost led to the game’s opener. Götze and Reus linked up later in the first half that saw Götze capitalize on a mistake made by the Hannover defense. A short pass to Reus saw Dortmund’s captain fire just over the bar. It was refreshing to see the two work together so well.  Their interplay was one of the reasons Dortmund had such a deep run into the Champion’s League in the 2012/13 season. It is also interesting to note that this was the first time the two had scored in the same game in 6 years, the last time being in the aforementioned 12/13 season.

Götze’s moment in the sun would finally come  in the 61st minute, when he would score his 2nd goal of the campaign to put Dortmund 3-0 up over Hannover. The goal came at the end of a beautifully crafted move that saw Hakimi peel off to the left while Jadon Sancho received a pass from Thomas Delaney. Sancho made a darting run across the box, the space for his run created by Hakimi’s initial run. The young English international found Götze at the edge of the box, and the prodigal son slotted home, much to the jubilation of the home supporters. Despite having left for Bayern to the dismay and wrath of many of the Dortmund faithful. It is fantastic to see a happy, healthy Mario Götze playing a crucial role in a Dortmund side doing everything it can to win its first title in 7 years. Well done Mario, and well done Lucien Favre.