Key Takeaways from Borussia Dortmund's Pokal defeat to Werder Bremen

Key Takeaways from Borussia Dortmund’s Pokal defeat to Werder Bremen

04 February 2020, Bremen: Football: Werder Bremen - Borussia Dortmund Round of 16, Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna (M) against Werder's Marco Friedl (l) and Niklas Moisander (r). Photo: David Hecker/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by David Hecker/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

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BREMEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 04: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Maximilian Eggestein of SV Werder Bremen and Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund battle for the ball during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between SV Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund at Wohninvest Weserstadion on February 4, 2020 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Julian Brandt is the key to Dortmund’s success

Julian Brandt solidified his spot as Dortmund’s most important player yet again in this one. Ever since his switch to central midfield he has been the engine pushing Dortmund forward. It was the exact same in this one. Not only does he transition the majority of Dortmund’s play from defense to attack, he was able to grab two assists against Werder Bremen. One of them was basically his goal, chipping the keeper with a beautiful lob. Haaland was on the other end just ensuring the ball that was likely heading into the net did.

With the news of Marco Reus’ injury and his 4 week absence, one thing that is key for Favre is to keep Brandt in central midfield and not move him up to replace Reus. He needs to stay beside Witsel, his impact deeper on the pitch is irreplaceable with Dortmund’s other central options.

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