Karim Adeyemi shines at BVB, impresses with newfound discipline | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is set for their second Champions League match. Against Athletic Bilbao, the Black and Yellows aim to secure their first victory and stay on course in the elite competition after the draw with Juventus Turin. One of the hopefuls is Karim Adeyemi, who is currently in outstanding form and has caught the attention of the European elite.

The 23-year-old forward appeared in high spirits during the final training session, laughing and clapping his hands with motivation – a picture that reflects his current condition. Adeyemi is one of the big winners of BVB's season start. With speed, technique, and a newfound level of discipline, he currently embodies exactly the type of player fans want to see on the field.

Adeyemi's Development Under Kovac: From Dribbler to Team Player

Photo: IMAGO

In recent years, Karim Adeyemi was a player who shone with speed and one-on-one situations but didn't always show the necessary consistency. Outstanding performances were often followed by longer phases where the offensive player barely appeared. This season, everything seems different. Under coach Niko Kovac, Adeyemi has not only increased his goal threat but has also made significant progress in his work against the ball.

The offensive player, who describes himself as a "free spirit," has discovered defending for himself. Kovac demands discipline and collective work from all players – Adeyemi has adapted to this philosophy. "Maybe he's emphasizing more that we all have to defend – that's why it's going so well," explained the national player. This willingness to also cover the "dirty meters" currently makes him an indispensable part of BVB's offense.

This development is also reflected in the results, as shown by the statistics: Borussia Dortmund has not lost in 13 consecutive Bundesliga games and has kept a clean sheet in the last four matches. In the elite competition, they also want to rely on this defensive stability – and up front, Adeyemi is expected to make the difference.

Champions League as a Stage – and Barça as an Observer

The encounter with Athletic Bilbao will also be a duel for Adeyemi against Nico Williams, one of the most sought-after wingers in Europe. For Dortmund, it's about transferring the strong form from the Bundesliga to the Champions League stage. Already in the spectacular 4:4 opener against Juventus Turin, Adeyemi scored and showed that he can compete at the highest international level.

That his performances do not go unnoticed, is shown by rumors of possible interest from FC Barcelona. Reportedly, Hansi Flick has his eye on the Munich-born player. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl recently made it clear that it will not be an easy task for BVB to keep players like Adeyemi long-term: "We will certainly have to stretch ourselves to keep such players."

Adeyemi still has a contract in Dortmund until 2027 – yet international attention could put the topic of his future on the agenda in the medium term. For now, however, the full focus is on Bilbao and the Champions League. There, Adeyemi is expected to shine again with speed, goal threat, and newfound defensive strength.

Whether he will score a decisive goal this time remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Adeyemi has developed at BVB from an unpredictable free spirit to a disciplined key player – and could not only shape Dortmund's elite campaign but soon also make headlines on the international transfer market.

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