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The last decade has been good to Borussia Dortmund, even if the more recent years haven't been the kindest. They've truly seen some greats play for them, while some have stayed and won hearts, others have left and still left their legacy.
The likes of Sebastian Kehl and Kevin Grosskreutz have spent years at the club while the others shuffled around them. They provided the spine for the club in times of transition as they switched managers and new talent was ushered in at every step. Every club has those stalwarts and Dortmund has their own.
Since 2010, Dortmund have won the Bundesliga twice and finished runners-up on four occasions. They've also won the German Cup twice and lost in three finals, but perhaps the most heart-rending from their point of view must be the loss to Bayern Munich in the 2012-13 Champions League Final.
Through this journey, there have been immensely talented players and others who personify the club, this is a mix of both.
Defence
Goalkeeper: Roman Weidenfeller
Roman Weidenfeller spent nearly his entire career at the club before retiring a couple of seasons ago and in that process, was key to some of the biggest achievements in Dortmund's history.
He was a stalwart in goal and perhaps not the best when it came to modern goalkeeping with the ball at his feet. However, his reassuring presence between the posts meant that Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund could play the flying football they needed to assert their dominance over rivals, Bayern Munich.
He eventually lost his place to Roman Burki under Thomas Tuchel but remains a large figure in Dortmund's folklore.
Right-Back: Lukas Piszczek
In July 2020, Lukas Piszczek will complete a decade at Borussia Dortmund. Honestly, the only alternatives in this position have started to appear only 2-3 years back. Piszczek operated at such a level for so many years that Dortmund never felt the need to permanently replace him.
Now as age take its toll, the likes of Raphael Guerreiro and Achraf Hakimi are taking centre-stage, but Piszczek is still a reliable deputy for Lucien Favre when he needs to rely on the experience in this squad.
Centre-Back: Mats Hummels
The iconic German centre-back has seen his career shared between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Mats Hummels couldn't resist the lure of the club where he grew as a player but his contribution to Borussia Dortmund is nothing to laugh about.
He was a part of Dortmund's most successful period in recent history and his exit saw them wane. His return seems to have rejuvenated them so it remains to be seen if he can play a pivotal role in this increasingly exciting team.
Centre-Back: Neven Subotic
The centre-back pairing of Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic could at the start of the decade have claimed to be among the top 5 defensive pairings in the world. The Serbian played a big role in setting Dortmund on the course they're on today.
Subotic followed Jurgen Klopp into the club and arguably followed him out as well.
But the spell between 2010 and 2015 brought stability and success to the club and it was based on this duo at the back.
Left-Back: Marcel Schmelzer
A man who spent his entire senior career with Borussia Dortmund, Marcel Schmelzer has done a stellar job under four managers and continues to be of service to the club today. His 251 appearances at the club have been largely at left-back, but he has done a job in plenty of positions for different managers.
He was a trusted lieutenant under both Klopp and Tuchel and was only ever scuppered by injury. When fully fit though, his eager running and sense of defensive responsibility make him an excellent full-back.
Midfield
Central Midfielder: Shinji Kagawa
The Japanese midfielder was plucked away straight from home and became a pivotal fixture of Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund. He provided a dynamism in the middle of the park that was at the time unparalleled across Europe. That spark encouraged Sir Alex Ferguson to bring Shinji Kagawa to England with Manchester United.
He was an important figure in their first season but returned to Dortmund when things went awry. His second spell saw him slot directly back into the starting XI and revive the magic he seemed to have lost in his second season in England. He may not have fulfilled the promise he showed in the first spell in Dortmund, but he always turned up in a yellow and black shirt.
Central Midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan
Another of what could be called Dortmund's golden generation. Few of those players actually came from Dortmund's academy but they were a set of players groomed to play quick attacking football with high energy levels throughout the game. Ilkay Gundogan adds another level to that with his ability to keep the ball in tight spaces and play the ball to team-mates in space.
He also developed into a player who arrived late into the box and started getting on the scoresheet more so in the latter half of his time at Dortmund. Perhaps not the most fondly remembered name at Westfalenstadion, but an influential figure in shaping their last 10 years.
Left Attacking Midfielder: Mario Gotze
Once described as the best talent produced by Germany, Mario Gotze truly found his home at Borussia Dortmund. He was vilified by the fans when as many players from the club have done, he made the move to Bayern Munich becoming the second most expensive German transfer to date.
Gotze, like Hummels on this list, returned from Bayern Munich to once again be welcomed into the fold at Dortmund. He largely played as a creative attacker behind the striker in the past for Dortmund on either flank, but his new role often has him upfront as Dortmund seek to make the best of their illustrious squad.
Attacking Midfielder: Marco Reus
The man who stayed. Mr Dortmund, Marco Reus has been Borussia Dortmund's talisman in this decade. The first name on the team sheet when fit, he's been making waves in the city since he moved to the club in 2012. You're likely to see him skipping past players, playing insane through balls or slamming the ball into the back of the net. Over the years he has been asked to play different roles at the club and alongside different colleagues and though he complained, he stayed and endeared himself to the club faithful.
Right Attacking Midfielder: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
98 league goals in 144 games for Borussia Dortmund is a record any striker would cherish. It's the reason one of the world's best strikers, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is a cult figure at the club. Had the fans had their way, this pacy, intelligent forward with an extremely deft finish would never have left the club.
The Gabon forward formed an understanding with Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan that struck fear into opponents' hearts. There's no doubt about him being in the Dortmund team of the decade and perhaps he has a place in the Bundesliga team of the decade as well.
Attack
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
Two of the Bundesliga's most efficient strikers at one stage playing in the same team at their peak would've been a devastating prospect for any opponent. Robert Lewandowski is lighting it up at Bayern Munich these days but was the spark of Dortmund in his early days. His movement off the ball confused defenders and his touch bypassed them. At his best, all the chances he had would turn to goals as he's shown over the years at both Dortmund and Bayern.
Lewandowski achieved all he could with Borussia Dortmund and the loss in the final to the team he eventually joined was perhaps a cut too many for the Polish forward. He's gone from strength to strength at Bayern, but he honed his skills with the young Borussia Dortmund side that won two Bundesliga titles in a row to put an end to Bayern Munich's stranglehold over the German league.
