7 Bold Decisions to Get Borussia Dortmund Back on Track in 2015
Borussia Dortmund may still be flying high from the recent news of Marco Reus' new contract extension and their latest win over Mainz in the Bundesliga, yet a lot of work still has to go into rescuing their tormented season.
Jurgen Klopp will be confident that his side can take with them all the incentive and determination that has won them their last two games in the German top division against Stuttgart on Friday, but more will have to be done to sustain this tempo of success.
As such, today we've jotted down no less than seven things Klopp will have to do if he wants to continue seeing his side ascend higher and higher in the German top division each week.
Take a look and let us know what you think.
Dump Marcel Schmelzer
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Although very few would consider Marcel Schmelzer as Dortmund's first-choice left-back at any given time, it's time Klopp finally gives up the goose and replaces the German full-back for good.
Dortmund may have Erik Durm to look forward to—although the young defender has offered very little this season—but the club desperately need a left-footed back-up defender who can defend and attack with confidence at the top level.
Start Playing Football Again
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It may seem like a slightly obvious and somewhat disingenuous remark, but Dortmund have somewhat given up the manner in which they used to play attacking, attractive football a short time ago.
As a response to the dramatic drop in form, Klopp pulled his team's ambition on the ball right back to simple long-ball, defensive football, which has in turn made it harder for his side to score goals and ultimately win games.
The past three matches have seen Dortmund open up more, score more goals and finally look as though they're breaking through this poor run of form. Play more attacking football and we may see Dortmund continue moving up the Bundeslgia table.
Find a New Goalkeeper
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Dortmund need a new goalkeeper. That may be hard for most fans of the black and yellows to accept, considering Roman Weidenfeller has been a loyal servant to the club for the past 13 years, but it may finally be time for the 34-year-old to step aside and let another shot-stopper take his turn.
Of course, Dortmund have the perfectly capable Mitchell Langerak on the bench, who's more than ready to take up the role, but it's still unknown whether the Australian international is a long-term solution for the former German champions.
Either way, it's time Dortmund found someone else to stand between the sticks.
Stick with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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According to Transfermarkt.com, Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has 14 goals and nine assists in just 28 games for his side this season.
Yet more importantly, the Gabon striker has amassed an impressive three goals and two assists in Dortmund's last two games and been one of the key reasons behind the team's rise in form over the past month.
Klopp may have plenty of options in attack right now, but he must surely stick with Aubameyang if he hopes to keep winning games.
Keep Sven Bender and Sebastian Kehl out of the Side
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It may sound harsh to suggest, but there is a line of thought that considers the fact that Dortmund's turn in form has fallen in line almost exactly with both Sven Bender and Sebastian Kehl moving out of the squad.
Both defensive midfielders have picked up injuries and taken a backseat while Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan have walked back into the side and offered a much more attacking and fluid style of play.
Dortmund is at their best when they're attacking teams, and they simply can't do that with both Kehl and Bender in the starting XI. Keep them on the bench and watch this side flourish in attack.
Drop the Champions League
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Although most Dortmund fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting stuck with Juventus in the Champions League next week, it may be time to give up any hopes of continuing with European competition if Dortmund want to continue improving in the domestic league.
There's no shame in prioritising some competitions over others, and to put it simply, the former German champions have to put all their effort into moving up the Bundesliga table and snatching one of the remaining top four spots.
Give Up on the Duds
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Despite what popular opinion may suggest, Dortmund actually have a rather talented and well-stocked first-team squad.
However, what really holds this team back are the top players who seem to be undermining the club's efforts to turn their season around with consistently poor performances.
Klopp needs to drop such players—the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ciro Immobile and Matthias Ginter—and stick with the old guard who have stuck by him through thick and thin.
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