As the goals flew in from every angle and the clean sheets kept on rolling, many had already written off this year’s Bundesliga title as the property of Bayern Munich. The return of Jupp Heynckes to the Allianz Arena was meant to herald in the good times once again and after a temporary opening day blip, it certainly seemed that way, with even Manuel Neuer starting to win over the fans after his controversial move from Schalke.
The last few weeks, however, have suggested it may not be quite so straightforward. The weight of early-season expectation has proved great for Heynckes’ side and with three defeats in their last five matches, Bayern have slipped down to third in the table. Champions Dortmund have finally grown accustomed to life without Nuri Sahin and with seven wins in their last eight games, have stormed to the summit, while MGladbach have surprised everyone with a sensational turnaround in fortunes this season.
With both sides squaring up in a top of the table crunch match on Saturday afternoon, WhoScored analyses the battle of the Borussias and highlights the key protagonists.
Having dropped just two points from a possible twenty-four, the champions are the form side in Germany’s top flight right now. Three defeats and a draw in their first six fixtures had initially suggested Jürgen Klopp’s side would struggle to hit the heights of the previous season - with Nuri Sahin off to Real Madrid and last term’s top scorer Lucas Barrios struggling with injury, the signs were ominous.
While perhaps lacking the creativity of Sahin, Ilkay Gundogan has settled in alongside Sven Bender in the Dortmund double pivot and with Robert Lewondowski proving an able deputy for Barrios in the lone frontman role, the champions have hit their stride. Averaging 17 shots per game – the second most impressive in the Bundesliga Team Statistics - they have an equally impressive work-rate, producing 25.4 tackles; again, second in the Bundesliga and they concede only 11.4 shots per game.
Mats Hummels has once again been a colossus in the heart of defence. The centre-half has played every one of his side’s fourteen games, with his commanding performances producing 3.5 tackles and 2 interceptions per game, breaking up opponents attacking raids time and again. Hummels’ positioning means he has been on hand to make 5.4 clearances per game and his 0.7 blocks highlight crucial interventions in front of his own goal. As a result, Dortmund have conceded just 9 goals, the second most impressive defensive record in the Bundesliga alongside MGladbach.
Hummels has also proved essential in the air; his 1.9 successful aerial duels per game is the most of any Dortmund player and although he has failed to find the net, he’s shown plenty threat in the opposition box, with 0.9 attempts on average. A WhoScored rating of 7.34 makes him third best rated for Dortmund.
Mario Gotze has mainly been stationed on the right of Dortmund’s 4-2-3-1 this season and the youngster has produced a series of brilliant attacking displays that make him one of the most sought-after talents in Europe. Dortmund’s chief creator, he’s produced 2.7 key passes per game over his twelve appearances, picking up 4 assists, and he’s been a consistent goal threat too, finding the net 5 times from an average of 1.8 attempts - this makes him top for assists and second-top goalscorer for Klopp’s side.
An outstanding 4.3 successful dribbles per game is the sixth best in Europe's Player Statistics and easily the most impressive of any Dortmund player and with an average 1.9 successful crosses, his danger on the flank has tormented many a left-back this season. A WhoScored rating of 7.73 per game makes Gotze the top-rated player for the league leaders and if Dortmund are to come away with the three points this weekend, there’s little doubt he’ll be at the heart of it all.
Few could have anticipated the turnaround in fortunes for MGladbach this term. Surviving only after a two-leg play off against Bochum at the end of last season, they have gone from strength to strength and continue to defy the doubters, with their opening day win at Bayern merely setting the tone for what was to follow.
Analysing their stats, the most intriguing aspect of MGladbach’s play is their possession. When on the ball, they have the confidence and belief to keep hold of the ball in their own third; 38% of their possession is in this area, with only 16% in the opponents’ final third - easily the least attack-minded team in this respect. In spite of this, they still manage 15.2 shots per game, the fourth highest tally in the Bundesliga, and have found the net 23 times, conceding only 9 goals.
Juan Arango has been hugely instrumental in his side’s push to second place with some dazzling left wing displays. He’s produced 7 assists already, second only to Angel Di Maria in Europe’s top five leagues and has proved to be MGladbach’s chief creator, with 3 key passes per game over his fourteen appearances. Arango tends not to over-elaborate when in possession, averaging just 1.4 successful dribbles, with 0.9 successful crosses also amongst his repertoire.
Arango’s 3.2 shots per game have also been a crucial aspect of his play, though a return of just 3 goals is a little disappointing, from a total of 45 shots. A WhoScored rating of 7.73, though, is identical to Mario Goetze and given they’ll come head to head on the same flank, the battle for supremacy will make for a fascinating game.
There’s no doubt who the star of the show has been for MGladbach so far. Marco Reus has been a sensation so far this season with a series of eye-catching displays alerting many of Europe’s giants. Starting the season on the right wing, Reus excelled but a move to a centre forward role in MGladbach’s standard 4-4-2 system has resulted in further brilliance. A WhoScored rating of 8.21 is bettered only by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo this season and is a clear example of his talent.
An ever-present for his side, Reus has bagged 10 goals already, averaging 4 shots and despite failing to pick up an assist, has produced a total of 36 key passes, or 2.6 per game, with only poor finishing from others letting him down. Averaging 4 successful dribbles per game - the seventh best in Europe - his all-round attacking game has been faultless.
Even in defence, Reus has been superb - 2.4 tackles is the fourth most impressive for MGladbach and with 1.2 interceptions also thrown in, he’s been pretty much the perfect player in every aspect of performance. Reus’ tussle with Mats Hummels brings together two players at the top of their games and the three points may well be decided on who gets the better of their particular battle this Saturday afternoon.
