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Key takeaways from Borussia Dortmund’s first half of the season

By Brian Szlenk Straub

Borussia Dortmund players look dejected after their game against Sporting (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund players look dejected after their game against Sporting (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND, GERMANY – DECEMBER 15: Gregor Kobel and Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund celebrate their sides victory following the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SpVgg Greuther Fürth at Signal Iduna Park on December 15, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – DECEMBER 15: Gregor Kobel and Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund celebrate their sides victory following the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SpVgg Greuther Fürth at Signal Iduna Park on December 15, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

Donyell Malen takes his time to find Bundesliga footing

Donyell Malen was one of Borussia Dortmund’s more exciting signings this past summer transfer window, with the Dutchman coming in as not a replacement for, but in the advent of the departure of Jadon Sancho upon his move to Manchester United. Malen was meant to help shoulder the attacking output the English international provided for Dortmund, but it was clear from the off that Malen wasn’t the exact same type of player.

Despite this, Malen joined Borussia Dortmund with the reputation of a proven goalscorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. While he wasn’t perhaps meant to replace Sancho’s creative contribution, it was likely thought that he would fit into Marco Rose’s style of play quite well, considering the coach’s preference of having two strikers up top.

Playing alongside Erling Haaland however meant that Malen would take a secondary role to the Norwegian. It was probably this and moving to a new league that stunted Malen’s impact initially. It would take an inury to Haaland for Malen to get some more time as one of Dortmund’s main scoring outlets. Initially, this came as a heavy burden for a player that had neither the form nor confidence to play such a role.

As the first half of the season came to a close, Malen found his form little by little and he now has 6 goals and 2 assists to his name in all competitions.

Malen’s overall evolution as a player has been a tale spanning the entirety of the Hinrunde. The start was worrying to say the least, but the club has always stated that the player has their full confidence. Moving forward, we can likely expect Dortmund to rely more on the Dutch international, and for Malen to be able to deliver far more often for them when necessary. Malen’s uptick in form will be an exciting facet of Dortmund’s game to look forward to in the Rückrunde.