Football Season Guide

Borussia Dortmund had a tumultuous season in 2017/2018 parting with no less than three head coaches in 12 months, before slipping into fourth spot in the league. The team’s poor campaign last term comes after a difficult few years for the club which has seen them frequently change coach and lose some key players to the squad which have proven very hard to replace. Once again therefore BVB are attempting to make a fresh start this season with a new man in charge and some important signings to try and balance the team out more. The new man at the helm is the vastly experienced Lucien Favre who has managed two other Bundesliga sides to great success, though this is arguably the biggest job of his career. The Swiss coach is known for his attacking football and that is just what the Dortmund fans are crying out for after 6 months of dreadful defensive football under their last head coach Peter Stöger. While the squad was already blessed with some incredible talent in the forward department, Favre has had to spend the early months of his tenure reinforcing the defence and midfield. The signing of three defensive central midfield players is hardly the kinds of business to get the pulse racing. But in Abdou Diallo, Thomas Delaney and above all Belgian international Axel Witsel, the squad now has the kind of player needed to protect what has been at times a wobbly back four. Achraf Hakimi and Marius Wolf add some useful depth at right back and on the wing respectively. In contrast to recent seasons Dortmund have not lost any key personnel ahead of this season. Wingers Andriy Yarmalenko and Andre Schürrle have been shipped out after underwhelming last season along with a handful of squad players. The only significant loss has been centre back Sokratis though he is replaceable. As the season begins the club will be aiming for a strong showing on all three fronts, in the German Cup and Champions League, but above all an improvement in their league position is expected. The talent is certainly in the squad, the biggest question is: will they show it this year?