Borussia Dortmund just concluded an epic campaign. Although it didn't yield any trophy, the BVB laid the foundations for potentially trophy-laden spell ahead.
In Niko Kovac's first full season in charge, Die Borussen achieved second place in the Bundesliga for the first time since 2022-23 season while accumulating their highest points in seven years (73).
They lost only five games all season and conceded the least number of goals too as Dortmund looked like a well-oiled juggernaut that were back to their best again.
Here are the five players who played the biggest role behind it, standing out for their consistently top notch displays:
5) Julian Brandt
After seven long years at the club, Julian Brandt has departed Borussia Dortmund. But he leaves on the back of a spectacular season that fans will remember for years to come.
Having become a chief playmaker in the side, the German international lived up to that reputation by pulling the strings in attack to build-up attacking plays and linking midfield to attacks.
He may not have always garnered attention but Brandt was the secret sauce behind the free-flowing attacking side, while himself netting seven goals and making a further four assists in the league.
4) Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund fans must have felt nostalgia towards the Roman Weidenfeller days of goalkeeping after watching Gregor Kobel all season.
The Swiss international turned back the calendar with talismanic displays in between the sticks, especially with his quick reflexes and timely saves.
With 15 clean sheets, he's been the toughest goalkeeper to score again, while equaling a club record for most clean sheets in a single league term too.
3) Julian Ryerson
It's been a breakout campaign for Julian Ryerson, who found his best under Niko Kovac and laid 15 assists in the Bundesliga, a tally bettered by only Bayern Munich duo Luis Diaz (17) and Michael Olise (21).
His best moments came from set-pieces, with the Norwegian ace proving to be an ace provider from the dead ball. He even notched one on the final day with an inch-perfect free-kick delivery for Serhou Guirassy to head in.
A tireless runner on the flanks, Ryerson emerged as a surprising but lethal creative outlet for Dortmund with his dead-ball specialty and phenomenal crossing ability, both of which were crucial to scoring important points.
2) Nico Schlotterbeck
Centre-backs don't come any tougher than Nico Schlotterbeck, who had the best season of his life here. The German became the undisputed leader in their backline with dominant displays.
A robust tackler, he also read the game brilliantly to sniff out danger and make timely interventions as Schlotterbeck averaged over four clearances per game.
He was also central to starting many attacks with his precise and powerful diagonal passes ahead, while also netting five goals himself to become the highest scoring defender in the league.
1) Serhou Guirassy
He was noticably poorer than last season but Serhou Guirassy still managed to score 17 goals and play an instrumental role in helping them finish second in the Bundesliga last season.
A penalty box striker with lethal finishing skills, the Guinea international popped up with crucial goals that won his side points in games they were otherwise not up to scratch.
There are rumors that he could leave Dortmund even after two prolific spells at the club, they must do everything in their capacity to retain a top striker like him.
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