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The season so far: Borussia Dortmund’s mixed start to the new season raises old questions

By Brian Szlenk Straub

BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 31: Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Dortmund looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on August 31, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 31: Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Dortmund looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on August 31, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images) /
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31 August 2019, Berlin: Soccer: Bundesliga, 1st FC Union Berlin – Borussia Dortmund, 3rd matchday, stadium An der Alten Försterei. Dortmund coach Lucien Favre strikes hands in front of face in the press conference after the end of the game. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
31 August 2019, Berlin: Soccer: Bundesliga, 1st FC Union Berlin – Borussia Dortmund, 3rd matchday, stadium An der Alten Försterei. Dortmund coach Lucien Favre strikes hands in front of face in the press conference after the end of the game. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa /

A lack of tactical flexibility, despite vast resources

Since the beginning of last season, it has been hard to level criticism at Lucien Favre and his coaching methods. It is beyond clear that he has improved the squad immensely since taking over the helm, and it was with his experience and help that Borussia Dortmund were even able to mount a title challenge last season. There is one thing about the way Favre coaches this side that really irks me, however, and that is his tactical inflexibility at times.

Once again taking a look at the game against Union Berlin, Favre did what most fans expected him to do once Axel Witsel was ruled out with his injury last week, and that was to play Julian Weigl and Thomas Delaney together in midfield. While Weigl is meant to fill the boots of Witsel, I felt this game was perhaps an opportunity for Favre to try Brandt alongside him, which would have opened up another spot for another creative player such as Mario Götze to slot in and help unlock Berlin’s deep lying defensive play style.

I also found it shocking that Favre didn’t decide to play Götze at all in this game, especially in the latter part of the second half. Despite Dortmund’s number 10 allegedly breaking his nose in training, he was deemed fit enough to sit on the bench and perhaps could’ve been afforded a minute or two on the field.

Delaney’s injury in the first half outlined the physical nature of the game from the off, so perhaps this too played a role in Favre’s decision not to bring Götze off the bench, risking further injury, which is a shame considering that he could’ve added another dimension to the Dortmund attack and perhaps shifted the tide in their favor.

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