The appearances of Julian Brandt and Donyell Malen in Borussia Dortmund’s victory against FC Augsburg give hope. But there are also marmot moments for which the shaky BVB from coach Marco Rose wants to regain the interpretative sovereignty. Three theses on the job victory over the FCA.
1. Julian Brandt clearly on the upswing
Finally a match winner. This is how Julian Brandt probably imagined his role at Borussia Dortmund much more often. The time had come when the 2-1 win over outsiders Augsburg. For the first time in the current season, the 25-year-old was so much in focus. The winning goal, which is well worth seeing, gives the often criticized midfielder self-confidence. “I feel extremely stable right now,” said Brandt after the game.
It was clear early on that it would be a good afternoon for him: In an Augsburg counterattack, Brandt had chased opponent Mads Pedersen over half the pitch before powerfully stealing the ball from him. Opportunity thwarted, counterattack initiated. For the first time, more than 40,000 fans in the former Westfalenstadion celebrated their hero for that small scene. Coach Marco Rose also wants to see this commitment, from whom there was a lot of trust beforehand and praise afterwards: “Jule was very hard working against the ball, he gave our game a lot. He’s a good guy.”
The fine technician will certainly no longer become a painter. The Großkreutz spirit has not passed on to Brandt due to the inherited shirt number 19. But nobody expects that either. The midfield ace is supposed to strategically steer the game. In the game against Augsburg, Brandt shone with ideas for building up the game. From the center, but also from the unloved wing. He sent captain Marco Reus wonderfully towards the goal. With a great pass rate of 94 percent, he made almost no mistake. In the end he had almost eleven kilometers on the clock.
In the third year at BVB, Brandt finally wants to make the breakthrough. So far there have only been two hits, not a single assist. Obviously, he has to keep working hard on himself. “It’s also about how to behave in a duel,” even Rose remarked. Brandt’s game often has a pomade-like effect. Even in the good game against Augsburg, the offensive driver only won one of 12 tackles. He made 12 ball losses. It is no wonder that the former DFB hopefuls are not currently part of the national team.
Although it is not bad for Brandt to be able to fill the upcoming international phase with BVB training. “It’s difficult to find a rhythm. There’s a lot going on over your head,” says the 25-year-old when asked about the last few weeks. Two involuntary training and game breaks have already set him back this season. For Brandt, constancy is even more desirable than a goal.
