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Borussia Dortmund’s form slump seems to have resurfaced again as after 2 back-to-back disappointing draws in the league, they were handed a harsh lesson in the 3-0 abject defeat to Juventus at home and were driven out of this edition’s Champions League in a humiliating fashion.In-form Bianconeri striker Carlos Tevez opened the floodgates right in the third minute to put the tie beyond the reach of the Dortmund. After some nervy moments which saw them nearly extending their advantage, Alvaro Morata piled on the opener with a neat finish off Evra’s cross.BVB were staring down the barrel and just then Tevez added yet another strike in the 79th minute to cap off a miserable evening for the hosts.Juventus progress 5-1 on aggregate and here are the 5 talking points from the game
#1 Tevez in the form of his life
After 4 ‘fare-to-middling’ season at Manchester City, Tevez joined the Turin giants in the summer of 2013 and had an immediate impact. However, a season into his Italian inquisition, Tevez is turning out to be an even better player than anyone had expected him to be.
Prior to this game, the Argentinian had amassed 21 strikes in all competitions, assisting 7 other but added 2 more stunning strikes last night to take his tally to 23, his best since 2010/11 season.
Having scored in the first leg, Tevez was back to haunt Dortmund as he tore them apart with his searing chutzpah. A constant menace to the BVB defence, Tevez was one of the better players going forward and whether it was attempting long balls or spraying passes in the attacking third, he simply oozed class.
The former Manchester City man stole the limelight with his heroics and suffice to say, he is enjoying the form of his life.
#2 Age catching up with Weidenfeller?
Once an unbreachable bulwark to now a jerry-built wall, chinks have developed on Weidenfeller’s armour. The 34-year has appeared jaded in goal throughout the season and last night was no different.
Although not completely at fault for the opening goal, the way the German grappled to reach out at the shot turned a few heads. Glimpses of his talent were there for all to see when he denied Morata in a one-on-one situation twice, but wore off completely in the concluding 45 minutes.
Weidenfellar was left helpless during the last 2 goals and could do nothing but watch himself concede in agony. The whys and wherefores for his poor performances can be the age, something that can bring his time at Dortmund, to a premature end.
#3 Sven Bender lets a vital opportunity pass by
Seldom has the young German been granted a first team football. Last night, Bender was handed a rare start but the result was just the same. A disappointing performance, something that will compel Klopp into thinking twice before handing him a start in big games like these.
For the 62 minutes he spent on the field, Bender’s defensive contributions were as good as none. Although he tracked back during the counter-attacks, the impact he had was minimal. He was needed to offer more going forward but did not do so and after over an hour of morbid affair, was subbed off in favour of Adrian Ramos.
Chances like these don’t come on a daily basis for him and sadly, he blew away another opportunity to show his worth. And as of now, the future looks really bleak for the 25-year old.
#4 Dortmunds profligate attack made them pay the penalty
There have been several issues that plagued Dortmund’s season and their blunt attack has been one of them. In fact, it has been a pivotal issue. The problem was visible last night too, when BVB’s strike force failed to get the better of a stoic Juve backline.
Aubameyang was largely anonymous in the first half and any attempts at goal were meekly foiled by the Bianconeri defenders. Mkhitaryan, just like in many games this season, was substandard and did nothing to test the visiting defence before eventally being taken off. The talismanic Marco Reus had a handful of opportunities through free-kicks which were not so incisive. The Germany international failed to link-up with his attacking counterparts and struggled to find a breakthrough.
After this game, Dortmund have now gone 270 minutes without a goal and that is really a worrying factor in Dortmund’s quest of revival.
#5 Juves summer recruits shine
The Turin giants shipped in a handful of players during the summer and most of them have lived up to their price tag. Prominently Patrice Evra, Roberto Pereyra and Alvaro Morata.
The Frenchman was although barely tested, he did well to keep out his nearest threat - Kevin Kampl. His darting runs forward provided an additional support to their attack and was also the assist maker of Tevez’s opener in the third minute. Further ahead were Roberto Pereyra and Alvaro Morata, who both had a memorable night.
The former’s crisp passes were vital to their counter-attacks, palying Morata through for both the second half chances and also assisted the third goal of the night. Morata, on the other hand, continued his decent goal run for the Serie A champions as he scored on the either side of Tevez’s strikes. The Spaniard linked-up well with the Argentinian and twisted Dortmund defenders in and out.
Juventus’ summer investments are paying great dividends, indeed.
