Complete Report Card for Borussia Dortmund in 2014
This year has been quite the write-off for Borussia Dortmund, hasn't it? Lamenting in relegation, sick with poor form and suddenly seeing the cracks in Jurgen Klopp's reign seem all too much for some of European football's most passionate fans.
Let us just forget 2014 and cheer in the New Year as if the old one never happened. No? Fine, but don't blame me.
If we are to remember the past 12 months at the Westfalenstadion, then let us do it in style, with a report card for each player who took part in Dortmund's trials and tribulations between January and December.
Disclaimer: Any player who failed to make a significant contribution at the end of last season or at any point this season was omitted from this list.
Goalkeepers and Defenders
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Mitch Langerak
Grade: B+
In Weidenfeller's stead, Dortmund have taken to back-up goalkeeper Mitch Langerak relatively well, as fans and critics alike have welcomed his refreshing, athletic style of play. The Australian international still has some time to go before he can match his colleague in goals, but there is very little to fault the shot-stopper with throughout his limited appearances.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Grade: B+
Signed as a relatively unknown quantity from Werder Bremen, Sokratis Papastathopoulos has proven his worth for Klopp's side on numerous occasions this year. The Greek international may be out of action at the moment but when he gets back, he'll be quite rightfully demanding a first team place.
Neven Subotic
Grade: B
Always well regarded as the quieter one in his partnership with Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic has characteristically got on with his game at Dortmund while his long-standing colleague has dramatically hit the highs and lows of the sport in the past 12 months.
Erik Durm
Grade: B
Fantastic throughout Dortmund's campaign last season and the first half of 2014, Erik Durm would have a much higher grade if not for his poor form in this current campaign. The right-footed left-back has all the talent and ambition but just seems to be lacking in confidence or composure at the moment.
Lukasz Piszczek
Grade: C
Perhaps unfairly blown up into something of a great remedy to Dortmund's defensive woes earlier in the season until his own return from injury, Lukasz Piszczek has since proven to be no more than yet another passenger in the slow demise of Klopp's side. Clumsy in attack and lacklustre in tracking back, this full-back will have to up his game if he hopes to keep his spot in 2015.
Marcel Schmelzer
Grade: C
Much like Piszczek in many ways, Marcel Schmelzer has returned to the Dortmund squad in 2014 and very rarely offered anything beyond the bare necessity of a full-back at this level. So much so that he has since found himself often dropped from the first team from one game to the next.
Mats Hummels
Grade: C
Mats Hummels has had a confusing 2014. Reaching what will undoubtedly be the pinnacle of his career in winning the World Cup with Germany, the central defender has since fallen well short of the mark for his club whenever not out injured. Although he is still young, with time on his side, Hummels just doesn't look like the defender he once was.
Roman Weidenfeller
Grade: C
The former first-team goalkeeper began the year with some tremendous performances in goals for Dortmund but has since found himself in second place come December. Following an inactive summer with Germany, Roman Weidenfeller has seen his form completely capitulate this season.
Matthias Ginter
Grade: D
Having only joined the club in the summer and played a select amount of games for Dortmund this season, Matthias Ginter has only just began his career at Dortmund. However, from what we've seen so far, there is very little to get excited about. The central defender may still be young and learning his trade, but he has let his manager and side down on a number of occasions already this season.
Midfielders
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Kevin Grosskreutz
Grade: B+
The ever-present handyman of Klopp's side has continued his fine performances in 2014 with a steady run of form in a number of positions throughout the year. Whether he's playing right-back, left winger or even central midfield, Kevin Grosskreutz has continued to give his all in each match.
Ilkay Gundogan
Grade: B
Having played a grand total of eight games in 2014, it would be unfair to judge Ilkay Gundogan too heavily, yet the German international has quickly re-established himself in the heart of Dortmund's midfield despite such a large amount of time out through injury. More of the same in 2015 and Klopp will undoubtedly have one of his key players back before too long.
Sven Bender
Grade: B
Among the mayhem that seems to beset Dortmund's midfield and defensive line on a weekly basis, Sven Bender has done his best to hold things together in what seems like an impossible, thankless task. Dortmund may still be conceding and their midfield may still look lightweight, but it would be a whole lot worse without Bender there to help.
Sebastian Kehl
Grade: C
Unfortunately, one of the key reasons Dortmund's midfield has struggled so much this season and in parts of the start of 2014 was due to Klopp's over-reliance on Sebastian Kehl. The former captain is an exceptional professional and ambassador for the club, but his days of ruling the centre of the pitch are long gone.
Nuri Sahin
Grade: C
Unfortunately injury has had the better of Nuri Sahin this season and as such, we can only judge the player on the performances he put in throughout the latter stages of last season. Alas, the central midfielder has looked like his old self in the Dortmund shirt and should be back to his best before too long when he returns in 2015.
Milos Jojic
Grade: D
Milos Jojic arrived at Dortmund in January of 2014 but despite now being at the club for just under an entire year, the midfielder has yet to truly impress in black and yellow and convince Klopp of his first-team credentials.
Forwards
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Marco Reus
Grade: A
Injury may have truly got the better of Marco Reus throughout 2014 for club and country to horrendous degrees, but whenever the forward was fit and able, he continued to impress to unrivalled levels for Klopp's side. The club's only real match winner and undoubtedly the most impressive player in the squad today.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Grade: A
Although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may not always look like the most impressive player on the park for Dortmund in any given game, he has quickly established himself as one of Klopp's most reliable goalscorers. With 11 goals already this season, the former Ligue 1 striker has stood by his reputation and carved a spot in this team for himself.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Grade: B
There is only one thing missing from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's game for Dortmund; goals. The Armenian forward can skip by as many defenders as he likes, but until he starts putting his chances away, he'll always be considered just below players such as Reus and even Aubameyang in the pecking order.
Ciro Immobile
Grade: B
Arriving from Serie A from Torino in the summer, Ciro Immobile has had a somewhat stop-start beginning to life at Dortmund. Often overlooked in certain games by Klopp, the Italian striker has proven himself when given the time and opportunity to shine in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Adrian Ramos
Grade: C
A certain level of expectation was put on Adrian Ramos when he arrived at Dortmund following a successful stint at Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga. If he can score in Germany for Hertha, why couldn't he do it for Dortmund? Unfortunately that wasn't the case and with just two league goals to his name this season, we're still waiting for the real Ramos to appear.
Shinji Kagawa
Grade: D
Arriving in the summer following a flutter of transfer rumours and activity, Shinji Kagawa returned to the Westfalenstadion among a buzz of excitement. Yet the former No.10 has struggled to reclaim his spot in the side, following limited appearances this season. Given more time and opportunity in 2015, we should expect to see Kagawa back to his best in the Dortmund colours.
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