This Is It for Lucien Favre and Borussia Dortmund

Decisive moments are approaching for Borussia Dortmund, the results in these few weeks will determine whether Lucien Favre and his men fail or heroically correct the course of this season.

Borussia Dortmund’s season has reached its decisive point. Only a few months ago the team were the sole leaders of the Bundesliga with a significant advantage and they seemed destined for great achievements in both the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. Fast-Forward into the present and Bayern Munich are only two-points behind Dortmund, and both the DFB-Pokal and Champions League are done and dusted. What went wrong for Borussia Dortmund to come crashing hard after the magnificent first-half of the season and can they still finish this season with flying colors?

The Flu/Injuries

Like death and taxes, sickness is one of those things in life that we all have to deal with at one point or another. Unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund, it came at the wrong time. The annoying and detrimental flu hit the BVB camp right before their Round of 16 (Pokal) tie with Werder Bremen as Roman Bürki, Marwin Hitz, Jadon Sancho and Marcel Schmelzer all had to be sidelined.

BVB had no other choice but to start third-string goalkeeper, Eric Oelschlägel. As expected, these rotations and absences played a role in Dortmund’s elimination. Oelschlägel enjoyed a solid match with amazing saves but made one costly error that was reflected on the score. He failed to deflect a simple header by Martin Harnik in the 119th minute, thus sending the match into penalties and eventually, defeat. This bitter ending left many Dortmund fans wondering if the result could’ve been different if Roman Bürki or even Marwin Hitz had been on goal.

Four days later, the flu would take another victim: Lucien Favre. The Swiss tactician couldn’t be on the bench as Dortmund hosted Hoffenheim on Match day 21 of the Bundesliga. We all know the infamous story to this match, Dortmund were leading up until the 75th minute, when Hoffenheim scored the first of three goals to tumble down the 3:0 lead. Both Abdou Diallo and Achraf Hakimi made terrible mistakes that led to Hoffenheim’s first and second goal. Definitely a huge disappointment as Borussia Dortmund dropped two massive points at home, allowing Bayern to close down the gap on the league’s standings.

Now back on the present, notable absences are still an issue for Lucien Favre. Such blows have proven to be detrimental for the team. On their last two league games against Hertha Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg, numerous key players such as Mario Götze and Axel Witsel have been sidelined due to injuries.

This has forced Dortmund to do as much as they can with limited firepower. Despite having some trouble solving matches they get it done at the end… literally. Marco Reus and Paco Alcácer have been the most recent heroes as their goals have gifted Dortmund three points against Hertha and Wolfsburg respectively. But the latter is now out for the Bayern game due to injury.

A Beacon of Hope

Although recent performances have been a bit rough for the boys, their mettle remains intact. Late goals in stoppage time represent the team’s will to fight until the last minute and never give up. Such mentality will be crucial for the remaining games left this season, especially in the match against Bayern Munich.

Despite having four absences for the ‘Der Klassiker’ (Hakimi, Alcácer, Guerreiro, Pulisic), Lucien Favre can count on exceptional game changers like Jadon Sancho, who is currently the top assist man on Europe’s top 5 leagues (13 assists). His versatility as well as his impressive dribbling skills will most certainly have an impact on the outcome on the match. Another player whose presence will surely aid Dortmund’s cause is none other than Mario Götze. With Paco Alcácer unavailable over an arm injury, attacking responsibility will most likely be given to Götze. The 2014 World-Cup hero has enjoyed a fruitful 2019 so far with three goals and three assists.

Aside from the already mentioned players, there is one whose motivation could easily surpass that of his teammates. For this player, winning this match it’s not only an objective, but probably a personal crusade as well. This player is Marco Reus. “Der Kapitän” witnessed the birth of his first daughter this last Sunday and could possibly be on his way to claiming his first Bundesliga title with his boyhood club. You can not have any greater reasons to go out there and accomplish your goals… for yourself, your daughter, and your club.

This is it. Dortmund’s greatest match of the season has finally come. While not determinant, the result of this encounter could settle the debate whether the “Meisterschale”  goes to Dortmund or Munich at the end of the season. Yes, the team has suffered setbacks, injuries, and horrid results. But people should not forget that this is the same side that handed Atletico Madrid their worst defeat under “Cholo” Simeone (4:0) and managed to beat Bayern Munich after trailing twice in November (3:2). The match won’t be an easy one as it will demand every ounce of strength from each player. But with the relentless and unconditional support from the best fanbase in all of Germany, they will make it. The stage is set, the fans are waiting, this will be our finest hour!

HEJA BVB!