Can Borussia Dortmund Actually Challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga Title?

Although Borussia Dortmund made short work of Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday evening with a 3-0 win over the stubborn factory squad, much of the post-match chat quickly turned to another Bundesliga side: Bayern Munich, and whether Thomas Tuchel’s side were indeed rivals to the current German champions.

The Westfalenstadion side may have huffed and puffed and stumbled into a seventh-place finish last season, but after just a few months and a successful summer transfer window, the new manager has turned Jurgen Klopp’s old team into one of the most impressive teams in Germany again.

But are Dortmund genuine title contenders that Bayern should be worried about?

The first thing to consider is that Tuchel’s team have met every test they’ve faced thus far head-on and managed to overcome each one with relative ease.

Borussia Monchengladbach were supposed to bring a baptism of fire in the opening game of the season, but Dortmund had other ideas and walked to a 4-0 win. Similarly, Leverkusen on Sunday had every intention of putting a dent in this black and yellow revolution, yet they too were overcome by Tuchel’s attacking football.

There is a steely determination that has seemingly come over this Dortmund squad overnight. No new player has come in and changed everything. This is the same group of players, only now they have a coach who seems to know how to get the best out of them.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 10 goals in 11 games for the club so far this season, but fans will be far more impressed with the manner in which he has quickly developed his game.

The Gabon international has always found the back of the net, but now he links up and holds up the ball for other teammates too. Before our eyes, this striker has gone from a quick, one-trick pony to a complete forward worthy of a starting role in a team intent on winning silverware.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Similarly, Dortmund fans would have enjoyed Sunday’s win over their rivals even more safe in the knowledge that Tuchel was never once tempted to bring on an unfit Marco Reus.

Unlike last season, when the German international was recalled early from injury time and time again to save Dortmund’s form, we now see a team that can truly function and thrive at the highest level even without their star player.

This has been made possible by a midfield that has completely transformed under Tuchel’s stewardship. A minor tweak has made a big difference in the form of Julian Weigl’s introduction since signing from 1860 Munich in the summer, yet the real change has come in the form of Ilkay Gundogan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Shinji Kagawa.

Gundogan looks lighter, quicker and ultimately far fitter to play his box-to-box game in the middle of the park, while both Mkhitaryan and Kagawa have had the previous expectation to constantly perform firmly removed from their shoulders.

Dortmund’s midfield is awash with goals and assists from every position, suggesting this turn in form is far more natural and solid than just the usual blip that comes from a new manager taking over the reigns.

However, Dortmund won’t know if they can actually challenge Bayern until they face Bayern at the Allianz Arena next month. But for now, all the signs suggest that this new Tuchel side are here to stay and may well be ready to challenge the current champions for this season’s silverware.