Between success and doubt: BVB face a defining summer | OneFootball

As the season draws to a close, Borussia Dortmund are showing signs of development that raise questions despite an overall successful campaign. While BVB remain on course for Champions League qualification, their recent run of form is causing unrest around the club.

Debates about Dortmund’s true level of performance have followed the club throughout the entire season. On the one hand, there has been a strong points tally in the Bundesliga; on the other, convincing displays have often been lacking — especially against direct rivals.

This tension is now coming to a head. Two consecutive defeats against Bayer Leverkusen and TSG Hoffenheim have reignited the debate. Before that, they had only managed to beat VfB Stuttgart thanks to maximum efficiency — scoring twice from two chances. Given this inconsistent form, it is becoming increasingly difficult for fans and experts alike to predict Borussia’s next performance. Anyone looking to analyze this sporting rollercoaster and place a bet on upcoming BVB matches can find the right starting point with the Betano promo code and take advantage of the current odds.

An attack misfiring

A look at the numbers highlights the problem. In their last three matches, BVB posted an xG value of 2.61 from a total of 27 shots — resulting in just three goals.

Particularly against Hoffenheim, it became clear that the attack is lacking cutting edge. Aside from individual moments — for example from Serhou Guirassy — there was a lack of creativity and structure.

But another issue carries even more weight: intensity. After the match, coach Niko Kovac openly criticized the fact that his team, especially in the first half, had not shown the necessary aggression in challenges.

This lack of “bite” has run like a common thread through their recent performances and raises doubts about the team’s mental state.

Questions for the future

The current development comes at the worst possible time. While work is already going on intensively behind the scenes on squad planning for next season, key questions are being asked:

Is the drop in performance down to the absence of Felix Nmecha, who is missing as a linking element in build-up play? Has the tension dropped after virtually securing the team’s season targets? Or does the poor record against top teams reveal structural deficiencies in the squad?

The responsibility lies with the leadership

These questions must primarily be answered by sporting managing director Lars Ricken and sporting director Ole Book. The current trend carries the risk that a weak finish to the season could overshadow the overall positive development.

For BVB, the focus now is on not only making the final matches successful, but also taking a positive feeling away from them. “We have to show that we want to win the games — not just a little, but with everything we have,” Ricken recently demanded.

Because one thing is clear: the way Dortmund finish this season could be crucial in determining the momentum with which the club starts the next campaign.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.