Deutscher Fußball-bund Pokal: SpVgg Weiden
By: Travis |
4 Comments
Today marks the beginning the great race for the Pokal Cup, well for Dortmund at least. Just to sum up the actions, and give you my reactions to yesterday’s official opening of the first round. First off you have to look at Wolfsburg, as did they put on a show. Granted they ought to have, as they played SV Wehen Wiesbaden, a team who just moved from the 2. Bundesliga to the 3rd. I believe Wolfsburg’s performance was by far the most impressive of the Bundesliga 1 teams, as they proved that they are prepared to defend their title. But my favorite was Mainz 05 vs VfB Lübeck. Lübeck came out and matched the Bundesliga’s team, and then in extra time they took advantage of their opportunities. Congratulations to VfB Lübeck, a regional team sneaking in a win against a Bundesliga 1 team.
Now onto the good stuff, Borussia Dortmund 09 vs SpVgg Weiden.
Hopefully we avoid the fate of Mainz 05, and take it too Weiden. What we should see is a solid attack, or at the least, an attempt. Unfortunately the team captian, Sebastian Kehl, will be sitting this one out, but the Schwarzgelben should be alright with out him. Hopefully we can see some production from Valdez and Zidan, but ultimately what we should be hoping for is a strong performance from our newly aquired strikers. Obviously we are all hoping that Lucas Barrios (#18) will prove to the world that his accomplishments in the Chilean League were no hoax, and his ability to score helps BVB claim victory. Another player, who should have a chance to shine in Dortmund is former Energie Cottbus player, Dimitar Rangelov. Rangelov made 43 appearances for Cottbus and scored a total of 18 goals and 3 assists. Hopefully he can produce better results with Dortmund, and he should, now that his supporting cast is improved.
The match begins at 15:30 (+1 GMT) and let’s hope for the best.
2008 Recap: The Limiting Reagent
By: Travis | 1 Comment
Borussia Dortmund finished a good and fairly successful season in the Bundesliga at 6th place, after bouncing back from a depressing performance in 2007 (finishing 13th, the worst performance by the Schwarzgelben since 1987). Wait. How can finishing 7 places higher than the previous season be consider only good and fairly successful? A fair question to ask, I admit, but it was simply due to a limiting reagent. BVB performed well in its matches, in doing so they finished with the least amount of losses (5), allowed the second least amount of goals (37), the third best Goal Differential +23 (Goals scored – Goals allowed).
What went wrong? How did Dortmund fall behind 5 other Bundesliga teams, while losing less, allowing less goals, and having a superior goal differential? It is all explained when you look at a single statistic, ties. BVB finished with the second most ties in the Bundesliga at 14. So obviously the Schwarzgelben had the ability to keep up and match that of any other club in the Bundesliga, as they scored an equal amount of goals or more than their opponents in 29 of their 34 (85%) games. And this is where the limiting reagent hindered BVB’s success in 2008.
The reagent was simply the inability to finish. Whether the team lacked the skill to overcome a draw, or just didn’t have the killer instinct to finish the opponent off. Dortmund suffered from the lack of a sense of urgency, this is undeniably clear through out the season, but especially in their final match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. As BVB was on the brink of attaining a spot to compete internationally, the club reached yet another draw, allowing Borussia
Mönchengladbach to keep its head above water and remain in the Bundesliga.
Perhaps you can argue that Borussia Mönchengladbach was in dire straights, while BVB was only looking to put icing on a successful season. Regardless, a team capable of achieving what Dortmund did should be able to overcome a 1:1 draw, unless of course there is something missing.
Another way to look at this is obviously the lack of scoring goals when the club absolutely needed it. Alexander Frei led BVB with a total of 12 goals, followed by Valdez, who had 8. Not to discredit either of these players, but it’s clear that Dortmund lacked a star striker, or even a formidable duo. Now with Alexander Frei leaving the Schwarzgelben for FC Basel, BVB is going have to rely on a breakout performance from one of their players, or their summer acquisitions. But this is something I believe BVB will overcome, and as long as they continue to play at the same level as they did last year, we should be in for a treat.
Write for BVB Offside
By: Daryl | 13 Comments
With the season over, Tucker has decided to leave the Borussia Dortmund blog. Big thanks to him for all his efforts.
But now we need someone to step up and replace him.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to captain Borussia Dortmund Offside, then have a read of our bloggers guidelines and then contact daryl[at]theoffside[dot]com
Category: RandomNeven Subotić will not be leaving
By: Tucker | 2 Comments
At twenty years of age Neven Subotić has quickly established himself as a fixture in Jürgen Klopp’s starting eleven. Naturally that has not went unnoticed and a number of prominent sides are apparently making overtures towards the young Serbian international. Most notably English side Everton, to which the top brass of BVB, Hans-Joachim Watzke, told Bild that he is “integral part of our plans”.
Vacationing at home in Belgrade, Neven added his commitment to die Schwarzgelben, citing his excitement of the clubs future and that he is “feeling good being there (BVB)”. While the option of moving abroad looms in the future, he acknowledges it is likely too soon.
“I am under contract at Borussia Dortmund and I am feeling well being there,” said Subotic.
Category: Team NewsKevin-Prince Boateng to return to Tottenham
By: Tucker | Add Comments
While yet to be officially announced, Kevin-Prince Boateng is set to return to English side Tottenham as BVB will not be exercising this option. The German U-21 international had moved to the English side from Berlin for a rumoured fee of £5.4m in July of 2007 (then €8.6m). Despite showing a great deal of promise for Jürgen Klopp with a option fee reputedly in the range of €6.7m to €8.6m, he was simply out of the Dortmunders price range.
Category: Team Newsfinal push comes up short
By: Tucker | 8 Comments
The Dortmunders stunning drive for a Europa League spot came up short as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Remarkably it looked like that would be enough to see them through as Hamburg was deadlocked against Frankfurt late before Piotr Trochowski added a injury-time goal to send his side to the Europa League.
The hosts strategy was clear, to nullify BVB’s attack first and go forward with safer countering measures. With veteran Tomáš Galásek controlling the defensive line they bent to BVB’s pressure but could only be broken once. Die Schwarzgelben had a number early chances to score, most falling to Nelson Valdez but each was off course. Opportunities slowed to a more cautious tone in the later stages of the opening half with the exception of Dante registering Gladbach’s lone chance as he headed soon-to-be Bayern man Alexander Baumjohann’s corner off the post. The hosts grabbed a shock lead three minutes before the hour as Dortmund, playing a man down temporarily as Felipe Santana was receiving medical treatment, allowed Dante to crash into the box and headed-in Baumjohann’s corner. BVB pressed to level and did so four minutes after the hour as Sebastian Kehl sent a long ball that got past Paul Stalteri to Jakub Błaszczykowski with Kuba executing the final touch to perfection near the spot. With nineteen minutes left the Polish international was substituted for Mohamed Zidan but that seemed to have a detrimental impact on BVB’s flanking assaults. Despite the continued efforts the match ended even and the Dortmunders Europa League dream ended.
Although the disappointment of not earning a spot in European football “stings”, this was a incredible start to the centennial celebration. Die Schwarzgelben waved with pride in the Rückrunde, the fourth best result in the Bundesliga and one that provides great promise for the future.
Category: Team NewsBVB’s chance for European Football
By: Tucker | 3 Comments
Jürgen Klopp’s message is loud and clear and for any Footballer, you’ve heard it before. Everything is on the line and yesterday is forgotten, it is your chance to rise to the top.
Die Schwarzgelben visit Gladbach tomorrow in a death battle to the finish. For the home-side it could mean survival and BVB is fighting for the improbably charge that has lead them to foot of European football. Push beyond the tactics, forget the place in the table, this will be the ultimate of matches with everything on the line.
Tensions will run high and given Gladbach’s style of man marking and with tenacious veteran players such as Tomáš Galásek, this is likely to be very tight, physical match. Injuries shouldn’t be a problem as Alexander Frei and Tamás Hajnal are expected to be able to go after modest concerns last week.
One match Dortmunders and Europe is ours!
Category: Team NewsDortmunders close in on European football!
By: Tucker | 9 Comments
BVB responded to Tuesdays lapse with a 6-0 victory of Bielefeld at Westfalenstadion. The victory, combined with Köln’s upset of Hamburg, pushes the Dortmunders into a Europa League spot.
Without a change to Jürgen Klopp’s starting eleven from recnet weeks the visiting Bielefeld imposed a difficult defensive approach early. However two minutes prior to the half Alexander Frei sent a free kick from the left into the box that the captain, Sebastian Kehl, rose high to out-duel Bielefeld ‘keeper Dennis Eilhoff and headed the ball in. After the break, possibly because news had leaked around Westfalenstadion of Köln’s upset brewing, BVB came out and took advantage of the visitors being forced to open up their play. Eight minutes after the re-start the score was doubled as Polish international Jakub Błaszczykowski came down the right wing before sending to Nelson Valdez near the byline, whose cross to Frei in-close came out to Tamás Hajnal to finish from six metres out. The third goal came with twenty-one minutes left as Kuba chased down a long through ball down the right flank and outracing the defender sent a perfect cross that Valdez redirected into the back of the net via a sliding touch. After the goal Jürgen Klopp allowed Valdez to leave the match to the cheers of 80,000 plus and only three minutes later his replacement, Mohamed Zidan, created the fourth goal. To the left of the box near the byline the Egyptian international sent a perfect low pass near the spot that Tamás Hajnal allowed to go through to Kehl to drive in. Up 4-0, the celebration continued with regular updates of Köln’s success still being the hot topic but with six minutes later it was 5-0 as Dedê’s cross from the left was headed in by Tinga from the top of the six yard box. Finally Mohamed Zidan puncuateted the celebration as he made it 6-0 with a drive from just inside the box three minutes from time.
Category: Team Newsthe final push for Europa!
By: Tucker | 1 Comment
The Dortmunders unbeaten run came to end at the hands of first-place Wolfsburg, losing 3-0 at Volkswagen Arena. Although disappointed with the loss, the scoreline was deceiving as BVB controlled the majority of the opening segment and cannot be deterred in its final drive towards European football.
Jürgen Klopp confidently sent his side forward from the opening whistle and without a doubt the home side was on their heels forced to defend. Jakub Błaszczykowski’s flanking runs were filleting Wolfsburg’s defenders and early on the Polish international provided Alexander Frei a high quality chance but he could not get his shot off. Exposing Wolfsburg’s flanking weakness, at the eleventh minute Patrick Owomoyela sped down the right linking with Tamás Hajnal to supply Frei another chance but his set-up was off and he sent his shot high. In their first real scoring chance Grafite and Josué worked a one-two with Edin Džeko being supplied and finishing from just beyond ten metres. BVB was not deterred by the goal and returned to controlling the run of play, threatening again but as is so often the case for visitors to Volkswagen Arena calls didn’t go their way. Another quality chance for BVB to break onto the score sheet was denied when Alexander Madlung dragged Felipe Santana off the ball but the call did not come. However referee decisions aside BVB was unable to break down Wolfsburg with the final touch and two minutes into the new half the Bosnian Džeko passed Grafite the ball from the left and he quickly drove the ball in. Down 2-0 the matches pace slowed and Jürgen Klopp pulled Tamás Hajnal, Nelson Valdez and Jakub Blaszczykowski to ensure their availability for the remaining matches. With fifteen minutes remaining Kevin-Prince Boateng received a straight red-card in another peculiar call as he was adjudged to throwing a elbox, although it seemed anything but intentional. With five minutes left Wolfsburg made it 3-0 as Grafite’s pass for the left careened off Felipe Santana foot to Edin Džeko, with the Bosnian adding his second of the day.
Category: Team Newsno stopping Dortmunders now!
By: Tucker | 4 Comments
With 80,000 strong at Westfalenstadion, BVB was focused on extending their winning streak and without fail they did precisely that defeating Karlsruher SC 4-0. Die Schwarzgelben are well on pace to their best finish since the championship in 2002 and the final three matches will determine if the European football is in their horizon.
Jürgen Klopp used the same starting eleven as last weeks win Frankfurt and immediately asserted their attacking prowess. Prospective efforts by Nelson Valdez and Tamás Hajnal came close but at the twenty-fifth Jakub Błaszczykowski nailed the ball into the net after Alexander Frei played him through with a good touch. The Dortmunders continued to pressure but slowly Ede Becker’s countering measures presented KSC scoring chances. However two minutes past the hour Nuri Şahin struck a incredible dipping free-kick from twenty-three metres into the back of the net to double the advantage. With the match no longer in question, Felipe Santana redirected Şahin’s corner in with nineteen minutes left to make it 3-0. Not done for the day Alexander Frei accepted a long pass from Kevin-Prince Boateng before pounding the ball past KSC ‘keeper Markus Miller.
Category: Team News
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