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Three points on the road

23.09.2011, 21:39 Uhr von: Redaktion

Maybe a bit of the glamour and drama of last season has vanished. We had a more or less lousy start – in terms of gameplay and situation in Bundesliga table. 7 points out of 6 matches is simply midfield and nothing more. This all together somehow raises the pressure to earn the one or other point on the road in Mainz.

Surely, there is still no need to worry. In most of the matches we were at least on par or even the better side. What we really lack at the moment is more effectiveness in front of the goal. Lucas Barrios injury made Robert Lewandowski our man up front. Though the Polish national is a marksman, he hasn't got Lucas' record. In parallel our Champions League run has started. The mind-blowing 1-1 draw against Arsenal FC will be followed by our first CL match away in Marseille.

Jürgen Klopp has some more options

Mario Götze is back from suspension and will take his place on the right wing. Sebastian Kehl, who was red-carded in the same match against Leverkusen, is also available and might take a place in holding midfield along with Ilkay Gündogan. But this might depend on how Sven Bender looks. Bender suffered a minor injury and just joined team training again. If he is fit, he will probably take Kehl's spot. Barrios is also part of the squad as he came back from a several weeks lasting injury. But it is highly unlikely that he will start, so that Lewandowski will get a chance again. The only regular starter, that is definitely missing, is Marcel Schmelzer, who might also miss the Marseille clash next week. Chris Löwe replaces him.

Thomas Tuchel, the magic is gone

Mainz last season was brilliant one. Fascinating football, surprise wins and finally qualification for the Euro League were much more than anyone could have expected. While many people see Mainz coach Tuchel as a younger copy of Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp, there is much more to this story. Tuchel is somehow a monomanic. He has clear thoughts about football and how it should work. Sometimes this effort even turns into overzeal. Nonetheless he learned the job from the bottom. Some BVB supporters might remember, that in 2009 Borussia Dortmund's U19 youth team reached the final of the U19 Bundesliga. That BVB team was really superior in that season. Unfortunately they lost the cup final – against Freiburg with goalie Oliver Baumann, now first team starter – and also lost the championchip final...against Mainz! Mainz was coached by Thomas Tuchel and really well prepared. On Dortmund's side players like Mario Götze shined while Mainz relied on striker Andre Schürrle, both by now German national player. Back to tomorrow's match. Thomas Tuchel might have to cope with Allagui missing the Dortmund match. Müller could replace him.