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Borussia Dortmund are enjoying an eventful run in the 2018/19 Bundesliga season as the side is sitting at the top of the table with 27 points in the bag. Dortmund recently beat German giants Bayern Munich 3-2 in an intriguing contest which could do their confidence a world of good. In the last 6-7 seasons, Borussia Dortmund has looked a completely different side to the team that finished runner-up in the 2012-13 Champions League season and won the Bundesliga twice in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 season.
Some have even pointed out that the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who was earlier the manager of the German side had a big role to play in the club producing some decent performances. Current manager Lucian Favre and the team management will be working on certain areas with a certain approach which could help the club maintain the same kind of performances. In the last Champions League season Borussia Dortmund exited in the round of 16 stage but in the ongoing season, the team is looking good as it is sitting at the top of the table in their group.
Lucien Favre has also expressed confidence that some of the younger players in the squad have upped the intensity level of the outfit which could be a motivating factor for the side. Borussia Dortmund is a side that looks balanced in every department as they have the players who can perform during demanding situations. We look at five such players who could be crucial for the club’s chances in the ongoing season.
#1 Marco Reus
The German adds a lot of pace to this Borussia Dortmund outfit as the 29-year-old can play as a forward as well as an attacking midfielder. Marco Reus has produced some gritty performances in the ongoing season and the midfielder will be the core of the midfield in the months going ahead.
The midfielder's creativity can surely be a boon for the side as the 29-year-old has the knack of creating chances with smart moves and can be dangerous inside the box because of his outstanding finishes. Marco Reus’s partnership with the forward line will be a crucial factor for Lucian Favre's side. Reus can floor the best defenses with his quick counter attacks.
Reus has already scored 8 goals in 11 Bundesliga games in the ongoing season with 5 assists to his name. Last season, Reus scored 7 goals in 11 games. He is an experienced campaigner with vast experience of playing in the Bundesliga. His presence in the dugout will be helpful for some younger players in the squad.
# 2 Mario Goetze
Mario Goetze will be the mainstay of Borussia Dortmund’s midfield line along with Marco Reus. His partnership with Reus and the Belgian Axel Witsel will definitely play an important role in the side’s fortunes in the months going ahead. Mario Goetze had expressed his disappointment of not making it to the German squad in the recently concluded World Cup. Goetze was the star of the German team when the team won the World Cup in 2014.
The 26-year-old can be a threat because of his ability to outsmart the opposition with his creative dribbles. His coordination with the midfielders and the forward line will be crucial. Goetze was suffering from poor form and fitness issues off late and the midfielder but will be eager to produce some determined performances.
Although Goetze scored 2 goals in 23 games in the last Bundesliga season and contributed 4 assists, in the ongoing Bundesliga season he has scored 1 goal in 4 games, but the 26-year-old will be eager to better his performances in the upcoming matches.
# 3 Axel Witsel
After an eventful run in this year’s World Cup Axel Witsel will be hoping to repeat the performances with Borussia Dortmund. The Belgian will be a vital cog in Dortmund’s campaign as the midfielder is capable of circulating the ball with his innovative moves and steady passing. The 29-year-old made a switchover to the Bundesliga this season after playing for the Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian in the last season.
Witsel is a smart mover on the field and can baffle any defense with his creative dribbles. Witsel is a busy player on the field and it will be interesting to see how he teams up with the likes of Marco Reus and Mario Goetze in the midfield especially against teams who are defensively stronger.
Although the former Benfica man has only scored 1 goal in 11 Bundesliga games this season, the Belgian can be a tough opponent because of his ability to create chances inside the box.
# 4 Jadon Sancho
The teenage sensation from England made his mark with some terrific performances in last year’s under-17 World Cup in India which England won. The 18-year-old has been inducted into the side as Borussia Dortmund need fresh legs in the forward line with some rumours circulating that Christian Pulisic will leave Borussia Dortmund in January.
The striker will surely add a lot of pace in the forward line and can outclass any defense with his accelerating pace. Sancho is also a clever operator during set pieces and can work well in the flanks. His combination with Paco Alcacer, Maximilian Philipp and Marcus Wolf in the forward line will be crucial for Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho has lots of years ahead to grow as a player keeping his age in mind. He can gain some valuable experience by playing alongside some seasoned campaigners in the team. Sancho has already scored 4 goals in 11 Bundesliga games in the ongoing season with 6 assists to his name.
# 5 Paco Alcacer
The former Barcelona player would like to make an impression and improve on last season’s performances. Paco Alcacer is loaned to Borussia Dortmund from Barcelona in the ongoing season and his arrival has been a boon for Lucian Favre’s side.
The 25-year-old has already notched up 8 goals in the 6 Bundesliga matches he has played in the ongoing season. The Spaniard will be a key figure for Borussia Dortmund in the ongoing season and his coordination with the midfield will be a crucial factor.
The striker has the ability to score goals with his electric runs and can be a threat with his fast counter-attacks. He is equally good at moving into goal scoring positions and can be a poacher inside the box because of his deadly finishes. Alcacer can create problems for any defense with his fearless runs. Alcacer will surely aim to make a statement. Alcacer will surely be the heart of the forward line.
