Borussia Dortmund's team of the decade

Perhaps one of the most successful decades in the history of the club
Perhaps one of the most successful decades in the history of the club

Midfield

Central Midfielder: Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa was a dream to watch in his first spell at Dortmund
Shinji Kagawa was a dream to watch in his first spell at Dortmund

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

Gundogan made it to the Champions League final in his first season with Borussia Dortmund
Gundogan made it to the Champions League final in his first season with Borussia Dortmund

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

In his two spells at Dortmund, Gotze has been a very different player
In his two spells at Dortmund, Gotze has been a very different player

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

Marco Reus stayed at Dortmund as all those around him left and returned
Marco Reus stayed at Dortmund as all those around him left and returned

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

Aubameyang took the Bundesliga by storm when joined Dortmund
Aubameyang took the Bundesliga by storm when joined Dortmund

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.

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