Following another disappointing performance, Borussia Dortmund's struggles have plunged them to 11th place in the Bundesliga. Their recent 2-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart at home has raised serious questions about their aspirations and overall performance this season.
This marked Niko Kovac's first game as head coach after taking over from Nuri Sahin—who had been dismissed following four consecutive losses. Despite controlling possession for large portions of the match, Borussia could not convert their dominance on the ball to goals, falling victim to defensive lapses and missed opportunities.
On Saturday, the hosts started positively at Signal Iduna Park, trying to shake off the frustrations of past matches. The fans were optimistic, particularly after Dortmund’s last minute victory against Heidenheim. Yet, the game took a turn when Stuttgart struck first just five minutes after the interval. Defender Waldemar Anton, previously of Stuttgart, inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, gifting Stuttgart the opening goal.
The woes didn’t end there. Eleven minutes later, Jeff Chabot doubled the lead with his first Bundesliga goal, placing Dortmund firmly on the back foot and silence enveloping the once-raucous crowd.
Dortmund managed to reduce their deficit through Julian Brandt's effort, which made it 2-1 with just nine minutes remaining. The fans stirred with renewed hope as the clock ticked down, but the night took another twist as Julian Ryerson received his second yellow card, leaving Dortmund to finish the match with ten men.
Stuttgart, buoyed by their impressive form, absorbed the pressure and secured the victory, marking their fifth consecutive win over Dortmund. This season, the hosts have only bagged two wins from their last ten league matches, raising the alarm bells over their ambitions.
Despite the setback, Kovac expressed optimism about improving the squad and turning their fortunes. "We must be able to respond to setbacks and improve on our defensive errors," he stated, indicating awareness of the challenges. The coach faces the monumental task of stitching together both morale and performance as Dortmund look to reclaim their status within the top tier of German football.
Post-match analysis pointed out the significant issues haunting the club since the start of the season. No team had amassed more goals than Stuttgart against Dortmund, and the pressure now mounts as they trail four points behind Stuttgart, who climbed to fourth place with their win.
Data specialists noted Dortmund's string of results: having suffered eight defeats this season already, including their woeful run at home—now winless across their last five fixtures—echoing back to their form from 2006. This level of performance cannot be dismissed lightly, especially for one of Germany's storied clubs.
The league table leaves Dortmund languishing with just 29 points, shifting their focus to upcoming matches if they aim for European qualification. Kovac must rally the troops and instill hope as they push back up the table.
The team must also await the return of injured players as they prepare for future fixtures, including their next European play-off against Sporting Lisbon, which could prove pivotal for both player morale and team dynamics.
Meanwhile, the likes of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen maintain their positions at the top of the table, undeterred by Dortmund’s struggles. With the Bundesliga season well underway, the urgency for improvement grows for Kovac and his players.
BVB supporters will see if they can channel the frustration from their last defeat and turn their season around, or face the grim prospect of mid-table obscurity.