Winter Review: Borussia Dortmund’s best and worst performers of the season so far

Julian Brandt

The German midfielder is experiencing a bounce-back season as well and is currently leading the squad in both scoring chances created from open play and key passes per 90 minutes. One of the biggest criticisms of his game has been his apparent marriage to the concept of inconsistency that has come to define much of the Borussia Dortmund roster over recent seasons. The first half of this season has seen Brandt take steps towards altering that narrative.

The end product has been more precise and convincing than any of his previous seasons at the club. Notable goals include a world-class first touch that allowed BVB to draw level with Gladbach before an all-too-familiar collapse. Edin Terzic clearly trusts the playmaking qualities that Brandt possesses and has relied on him to take up that role in the absence of Marco Reus.

Depth in the form of attacking midfielders is fairly thin at the moment and his minutes will need to be monitored a little more closely than that of Jude Bellingham. It’s worth pointing out that some of the more extended injuries that have taken place have not been in central midfield. Marco Reus has injury issues with more documentation than just about any player in club history and Gio Reyna has only just made a full return to the fold. It’s on Terzic to properly determine where the rotations should be made between the trio when they are all fully fit.