BVB: Dangerous Star Dependency at Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund’s Key Player Felix Nmecha (25) Missile

Dortmund * had scored in every game for 28 matchdays. On matchday 29 against Leverkusen (0:1), the zero was up front for the first time. Already a week before in Stuttgart (2:0), BVB had hardly produced any shots on goal until the double strike in stoppage time. What both games have in common: They were played without key player Felix Nmecha (25). The bitter realization: Without Dortmund’s key player, almost nothing works tactically.

Nmecha Dependency becomes BVB threat!

The midfield strategist got injured in the 3:2 against Hamburger SV. BILD had already revealed the severe diagnosis: torn outer ligament in the knee. Nmecha is being treated conservatively and if everything goes smoothly, he is expected to return by the final matchday on May 16. National coach Julian Nagelsmann (38) even publicly feared: “There is a risk that he may not be able to play in the World Cup.”

The BVB misses him in every way. Without the drive of Nmecha, the offensive game suffers massively. The core statement of coach Niko Kovac (54), uttered before the match against Bayer: “If you don’t have the connection from the back through the midfield to the forwards, then it’s difficult for the forwards.” Nmecha normally embodies this connection in BVB’s game. His playing style: he wins balls in defense, directs the game with his vision, drags the balls from deep areas into the dangerous zone, and feeds the offensive stars.

Kovac criticized after the Leverkusen game: “We had some careless ball losses. We punished ourselves through the light ball loss that led to the goal. We lacked penetrating power, we tried too much through the middle.” Marcel Sabitzer (32) and Jobe Bellingham (20) couldn’t compensate for Nmecha’s strengths. Sporting director Lars Ricken (49) analyzed: “In the end, we lacked courage, creativity, and conviction.” All qualities that Nmecha especially embodies in BVB’s game.

It is clear: Dortmund now urgently needs to find alternative solutions to generate more goal threat. Kovac is currently working with the players on this, as the coach emphasized himself. Otherwise, the comfortable 8-point lead over pursuer RB Leipzig could even melt in the remaining five matchdays.

Nmecha is even more important than star defender Nico Schlotterbeck (26) for Dortmund’s future. European heavyweights like the Manchester clubs City and United or even Real Madrid are still keeping an eye on him. However, BVB managed to extend Nmecha’s contract prematurely until 2030.