'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgT/2gAIAQEAAAAAmP8A/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAgBAhAAAAAH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAgBAxAAAAA//8QAIxAAAgECBAcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBRIABAYRFCMxMmJxof/aAAgBAQABPwDLUOFLowlN4doVjYLTUU9ALhs3d5Yn020s8kinK2uxYckL8A2HoY//xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIh/9oACAECAQE/AIty8P/EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAUf/aAAgBAwEBPwBtbf/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Borussia Dortmund are a team on everyone’s mind in modern day football. After back to back successes in the Bundesliga and winning the German Cup last season, Dortmund have announced themselves as one of the best teams in Europe. And after dominating the Group of Death, they have now announced themselves as one of the favourites to win the Champions League. With a wealth of talent, and a great manager at the helm, I see no reason as to why they can’t go on to lift the Champions League trophy in May, and here’s why they can do it.
They dominated the Group Of Death
When the draw for the Champions League group stages was made, everyone was left in awe of Group D. It featured Spanish Champions Real Madrid, English Champions Manchester City, Dutch Champions Ajax, and the team in question, The German champions Borussia Dortmund. Few really thought that Dortmund would get through this group, with the majority of people thinking Real Madrid and Manchester City will head through. I, however, said from the start that Dortmund would not only go through, they will finish as group winners. Boy they were wrong, and I was right. Dortmund eased through the group of death without a loss, and were really unlucky not to finish with a 100% record.
After struggling to get through Ajax at home in the opening fixture, Dortmund finally found their feet and dominated Manchester City at Eastlands before a controversial penalty, turned in by Mario Balotelli, cancelled out Marco Reus’ strike resulting in a 1-1 draw. The truth is, Dortmund should have put that game to bed way before the penalty, but a mix of poor finishing and great goalkeeping from Joe Hart prevented that from happening. Next up were Spanish Giants Real Madrid at home. Despite Real Madrid being favourites, Dortmund pulled out a 2-1 victory to send themselves to the top of the pile heading into the 2nd half of the group stages fixtures. A trip to Madrid was next for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with few expecting BVB to get something out of this game. In a entertaining game, Dortmund and Real Madrid shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. It took a last minute Ozil free kick to rescue Real Madrid from defeat. Next, came the 4-1 thrashing of Ajax in Amsterdam, confirming Borussia Dortmund as group winners with a game to spare. That game was to be against Manchester City, who needed a win to stay in Europe. With nothing to play for, Klopp decided to rest some first team players for this fixture. It turns out it didn’t matter as Schieber’s goal won the game for BVB 1-0. The domination of the Group of Death has shown everyone that Dortmund are serious contenders, and that they can match-up and beat the best in the world.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp
What Jurgen Klopp has done at Dortmund has been incredible. He’s led them to back-to-back Bundesliga titles, and has shown he is one of the best managers around. Klopp has got his side playing exciting, high pace football which has so far been successful, and he always demands 100% from his players, no matter the situation. Under this man’s guidance, Borussia Dortmund can go on to win the Champions League for a 2nd time and achieve great things in the future.
Formidable back line
Mats Hummels against Manchester City
Although Dortmund’s backline doesn’t seem to be as great as it was last season, it’s still one of the most formidable in Europe. With Weidenfeller between the sticks, you have got a really good and experienced goalkeeper. In Central defence, we have one of the top 5 centre backs in the world with Mats Hummels, and his under-rated centre back partner, Neven Subotic. At fullback we have Pisczek and Schmeltzer who are solid themselves. Dortmund’s backline is going to be key if they are to go deep in the Champions League, especially when facing teams like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and it’s more than capable of doing so.
Marco Reus
The man key to Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League success so far has been the 23-year-old German international Marco Reus. The man who they re-signed from Gladbach at the end of last season has put in a host of dazzling performances so far this campaign. His 3 goals in the group stages have helped BVB get through their group as winners, and his form is going to be key in the latter stages of the competition. Reus has settled in really well, and has so far been the key man for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
And other attacking talent
Along with Reus, Dortmund have a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal. Their talisman Robert Lewandowski has bagged 4 goals so far in the Champions League, and has proven himself to be one of the best strikers around. Dortmund must aim to keep the Polish international during the January transfer window, as he’s proven to be a key player for Dortmund. Alongside Reus, we have a highly touted young German international, Mario Gotze. The 20-year-old has proven himself to be one of the top young footballers in the world, and has held a regular starting place behind Lewandowski. The attacking trio of Reus, Gotze and Lewandowski is a force to be reckoned with.
Signal Iduna Park
Signal Iduna Park
It’s one of the most impressive stadiums in World football. The home of Borussia Dortmund can hold around 80,000 fans, and has proven to be a fortress so far in the Champions League. Dortmund are 100% at home so far in the Champions League, and their home form will be key if they are to go on and win the competition. Dortmund must make sure that they don’t give anything away at home to any opponent if they are to keep on advancing in the tournament. With 80,000 passionate fans, and their home record in this competition so far, no team in Europe would fancy coming to Signal Iduna Park to play Borussia Dortmund.
So there are some reasons why and how Dortmund can win the Champions League this year. If you would like to add to that, please coment below.
