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Commitment and Leadership: Emre Can can be the key in Borussia Dortmund’s push for Champions League qualification

By Benjamin McFadyean

Emre Can could be key for Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Emre Can could be key for Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The battle for Champions League qualification is shaping up to be an exciting one with both Borussia Dortmund and Gladbach in the race (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The battle for Champions League qualification is shaping up to be an exciting one with both Borussia Dortmund and Gladbach in the race (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The high stakes battle for Champions League qualification

The impact of missing out on Champions League qualification is unthinkable, but seldom in recent years has the race for European places been tighter in the Bundesliga. Following match day 19, only three points separate third and seventh place with Eintracht Frankfurt, a renewed VFL Wolfsburg and an impressive Borussia Mönchengladbach under the man widely touted as Edin Terzic’s successor at Borussia Dortmund Marco Rose, all in contention. Union Berlin and SC Freiburg are also in with a fairly decent shout of finishing in the top six.

In short, the stakes have seldom been higher in an already financially strained Bundesliga. The 20/21 January transfer window may be regarded in hindsight as a missed opportunity to strengthen the squad. Michael Zorc Hans-Joachim Watzke, however, are regarded as two of the smartest decision-makers in European football when it comes to transfer business. Taking a look at the last twelve months in the 19/20 January transfer window should instill at least some measure of confidence in the management’s decision not to bring further players onboard in a season where the squad have taken been asked to take a pay-cut in order in order to help BVB balance the books.