Koln vs. Borussia Dortmund: Key Issues That Will Shape Bundesliga Game
The Bundesliga resumes this weekend with Matchday 8. For Borussia Dortmund, they face a trip to the RheinEnergieStadion to face Koln.
BVB have been stricken by injuries so far this season, and their form has reached a low point under Jurgen Klopp. The 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga title winners have lost three of their last four matches and are winless in over a month, earning only a point during this time. The league title is now a pipe dream, but standing 13th, Klopp and Co. will have to make up a growing deficit to finish in the top four.
Promoted Koln are just one table spot and one point behind BVB; they will likely face a fight to stay in the 1. Bundesliga for a second consecutive season. Getting something from the game against Dortmund would provide a huge boost of confidence to Peter Stoger's men.
Ahead of Saturday's clash, B/R takes a close look at the factors that could tip the balance in either side's direction. Click "Begin Slideshow" for full analysis.
Marco Reus' Fitness
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Following Robert Lewandowski's departure, there is absolutely no doubt that Dortmund's best player is Marco Reus. It's no surprise that BVB have struggled in the absence of Reus, who aggravated the ankle injury that kept him out of the World Cup after just three matches this season.
Reus played in two friendlies during the international break and scored in the most recent. Returning to competitive football will be a big step up, though, and he'll need to be at his sharpest to make a difference for his hometown club.
With 23 goals and as many assists in 44 matches in all competitions last season, Reus was good for more than a goal per game. The question is, will be on the pitch long enough to influence the result against Koln? He's hardly played since June, so it could be some time before he's ready for 90 minutes.
Ilkay Gundogan's Readiness
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Fourteen months ago, Ilkay Gundogan was revered by many as one of Europe's finest midfielders. The Germany international had just completed a sensational 2012-13 Champions League campaign with Dortmund, getting the better of midfield greats like Yaya Toure and Xabi Alonso on multiple occasions on Europe's biggest stage.
Tragedy struck in August of 2013, however, as the burgeoning talent sustained a back injury that has sidelined him since. Gundogan is now set to return to action, having played in two friendlies during the international break, notching a goal in the first.
Gundogan will not start against Koln and in all likelihood will only play for a few minutes. But even a brief appearance could make all the difference. Dortmund have been woeful in midfield in his and Nuri Sahin's absence; if the result is still in the balance late on, the presence of Gundogan pulling the strings could tip the balance in Dortmund's favor.
Timo Horn
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Born a year after fellow highly rated goalkeepers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bernd Leno, Timo Horn has largely flown under the radar of many German football. But the Koln man is a brilliant prospect, having proven himself time and time again in the 2. Bundesliga before starting off the 2014-15 campaign in excellent form.
The 21-year-old has been rated by German magazine Kicker as the 16th-best player in the Bundesliga so far this season—not bad for a goalkeeper playing for a newly promoted team with a modest defense in front of him.
Dortmund will have their chances and will take many shots on goal. The key for Koln is to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible and hope to put BVB under pressure by striking first, as so many teams have in recent weeks. To this end, Horn is crucial.
Sharpness of Dortmund's Goal-Getters
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Dortmund will be desperate to take three points in the Bundesliga for the first time in over a month. Defense has been a huge problem for the Ruhr side, but having scored three goals in their last four games, there will also be plenty of pressure to deliver in the attacking area.
Although Reus will be looked to as an inspiration, the real key to victory for Dortmund could instead be their other forwards, Ciro Immobile, Adrian Ramos and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The trio have combined for 15 goals in all competitions (Aubameyang alone has seven), but they have still left something to be desired.
Dortmund have conceded the opening goal in each of their last four Bundesliga matches, twice in the first half. In the Robert Lewandowski era, they often would kill off games in the opening 30 minutes. That same approach is needed if they are to ensure victory on the regular and preserve their strength.
At the moment, opponents quite rightly have the impression that one goal is enough to take one or even three points from Jurgen Klopp's side. Dortmund's forwards will need to have a good showing to demoralize their opponents.
