Explosive suspicion: Are Dortmund stronger after sacking their coach? | OneFootball

After the departure of the set-piece coach, BVB suddenly thrives on set pieces. Three set-piece goals against Mainz now fuel a heated discussion.

Borussia Dortmund has a new weapon – and it comes from set pieces. In the 4-0 victory against 1. FSV Mainz 05, BVB impressively demonstrated their strength in set pieces: three goals came from corners or free kicks, with a total of ten out of the last 21 goals since the winter reset resulting from set-piece situations. Notably, since January, Dortmund no longer has a designated set-piece coach.

The separation from Alex Clapham raises questions. Did the departure of the specialist make this new efficiency possible? Sporting director Sebastian Kehl dismisses this connection. “We have made a few adjustments, and it would be unfair to attribute it to one person,” he emphasized after the Mainz match.

Indeed, under head coach Niko Kovac and assistant coach Robert Kovac, a clearer distribution of roles seems to be taking hold. “We train it, everyone has their task. The corners are delivered precisely,” explained Robert Kovac. The principle is simple but effective: overloading the six-yard box, consistent blocks against the keeper, precise deliveries.

Julian Ryerson as a Symbol of BVB's New Set-Piece Strength

Julian Ryerson has become the symbol of this development. The Norwegian set up four goals against Mainz – three of them from set pieces – and has a total of eleven assists in the league. “I have to deliver the ball precisely, and the others have to make the runs,” he stated matter-of-factly. His crosses remind many of David Beckham, although Ryerson himself prefers to downplay the hype: “It's three points. No more, no less.”

The new efficiency is no coincidence. In the seven league games since the start of the year, BVB has scored seven goals from set pieces. Before the winter break, it took them 15 matches to achieve the same output. Experts see a return to clarity. Former professional Shkodran Mustafi suspects: “You have to convince the players that everyone just needs to do their job. Maybe Dortmund has returned to that and said: Maybe we've tried too many complicated things. Now we're going back to the simple things.”

Whether it's a conscious simplification or a coincidental development after the coach's departure – one thing is certain: Dortmund is once again spreading fear and terror with set pieces. And Ryerson is the conductor of this new offensive concert.

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