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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 06: Mario Gotze (2nd L) of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides second goal as Goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid sits dejected on the pitch during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 6, 2012 in Madrid, Spain.
German Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund are the surprise package of the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League group stage having already secured top position in Group D, the Group of Death, ahead of the Spanish champions Real Madrid, Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam and English champions Manchester City with one match still to play.
Last season, a young Dortmund side had finished bottom of their Champions League group and when this season’s group draw was made, there were fears of a repeat, especially with four champion sides in one group, but Dortmund have learned quickly this season, showing their class which has won them the last couple of Bundesliga titles and last season’s DFB Pokal (German Cup).
Suddenly, Borussia Dortmund, who have mesmerised Germany with their style of quick-direct-combination football, are doing the same with Europe. 11 points from five matches against Real Madrid, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester City is just a testament of that fact, especially with their 4-1 win last night against Ajax Amsterdam has shown what they are capable off.
In Mario Götze and Marco Reus, Dortmund have two of the best young attacking players in world football, who in combination with Robert Lewandowski, Kevin Großkreutz, Ilkay Gündogan and other players are currently amongst the best in Europe.
German legend Franz Beckenbauer yesterday said that Dortmund could go a long way in this season’s Champions League, but coach Jürgen Klopp is more careful, since in the knockout stages, one bad match could end their dream campaign.
But for the moment, hats off to Borussia Dortmund and their UEFA Champions League campaign.
