Bundesliga
15 matches in two months: Nobody is better than BVB
For the first time since the start of the season, and for the first time in two months and a total of 15 matches, Borussia Dortmund now have more than seven days to recover their strength, wholly necessary as the victory over Augsburg was the end of a run of 6 hard-fought weeks. An unbelievably full-on time of the year that BVB managed to overcome without any defeats.
In the table displaying the results from the second half of the season, the Black and Yellows are undefeated at the top, 3 points ahead of FC Bayern Munich and even nine points ahead of Stuttgart, in 3rd place in this table. The Westphalians have only conceded 5 goals in the second half of the season in all competitions. The 3 goals conceded in the league after 10 matches is even a new Bundesliga record. The Black and Yellows are riding on a wave of success and are going into the end of the season with a lot of self-confidence, with good chances of winning at least one title.
Whether it's the UEFA Europa League, the DFB Cup or the Bundesliga (even though this is the least likely of the three) – BVB are proceeding into the season’s climax with a lot of self-confidence after the international break.
Record-breaking Season
This is important, as there are at least ten matches left to play for BVB until the end of May, and if Thomas Tuchel’s men are to get through to the final of the DFB Cup as well as the Europa League final – that’s the aim after all – then it could be fourteen to play. BVB would then have a total of 59 games in this season under their belt – a record-breaking season. But this season has already been record-breaking, which can be consolidated after the 27th match day.
BVB’s Bundesliga statistics read 64 points, 64 goals, 20 wins and three defeats. From BVB’s point of view, they are establishing a new set of superlatives. Not even in the Championship-winning seasons of 2010/11 and 2011/12 did Borussia Dortmund have so many points, goals and wins as well as so few defeats (62 points, 19 wins, 3 losses and 59 goals). Were it not for Bayern Munich, who at least in terms of points are having a better season than BVB, the championship would probably already be in BVB’s hands.
Attention shifting to the Cup and Europe?
On the topic of the Championship – after 27 match days, BVB’s deficit is 5 points. Therefore, the race has not yet already been run, even when only the biggest optimists believe that Bayern will give up 6 more points in the run up to the 34th match day. But who knows? The tension is definitely tangible, with BVB breathing down Bayern’s neck. And if BVB are able to continue their run of good form after the international break, then it could be their’s, if Bayern are to really slip up.
Yet is Thomas Tuchel and his team’s attention turning to the Cup and Europe? It wouldn’t be hard to blame them, as fourth place in the league is already secure, and second is hardly up for grabs either. If Hertha Berlin lose to Gladbach on the 28th match day and BVB win against Bremen at the same time, then Dortmund will almost certainly be in second place by the end of the season. That is also record-breaking.
The going only gets tougher
Yet the season is far from over. The international break has come at the right time, because after that it all kicks off again. First Bremen, who desperately need some points in their relegation battle, and then what will be an emotional return for the fans to Jürgen Klopp, with Tuchel surely getting his players to give their all in the two matches against FC Liverpool.
What about in the meantime? Well, there’s also the Ruhr Derby against FC Schalke, which promises to be an emotional contest. Whoever thinks that the going will get easier is barking up the wrong tree. On the contrary – the going only gets tougher. BVB have to consolidate their performances of the last few weeks. But this year Borussia Dortmund seem up to the task for anything that comes their way.
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich