Oh, the perils of being a Borussia Dortmund fan. If hope could kill you, they’d all be dead. Just a few weeks back, things were looking rosy for Niko Kovac’s rejuvenated side.
They had enjoyed a remarkable Bundesliga renaissance, putting them in a position to challenge a stuttering Bayern. And they had an inviting Champions League knockout tie, pitted against an entertaining- if unconvincing- Atalanta side. Guirassy was scoring goals for fun, and the general vibe evoked the excitement of the Klopp era. It felt like they were really going places. But the past week has seen them return to reality with a thump, as they followed up a 2-2 draw at RB Leipzig with a heartbreaking 4-1 defeat at Atalanta. This weekend’s Klassiker was set to be a climactic moment in this season’s title race. Now it just looks like the latest episode of the Truman Show: Dortmund Edition; a reality TV show that tests how much pain the average Dortmund supporter can take (Arsenal fans can relate).
Der Klassiker turning into North London derby
I think that people sleep on Jurgen Klopp’s achievements at Dortmund. He oversaw a revolution in German football, pioneering the gegenpressing approach while winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2012 and 2013 (also reaching an all-German Champions League final against Bayern). Klopp’s iconic work at Anfield tends to obscure his early German stuff (like Sir Alex’s time at Aberdeen, really). In any event, it feels like Dortmund have been cursed since Bayern’s Robben-inspired victory at Wembley stadium. The gap between Bayern and Dortmund has turned into a canyon, with Bayern winning 24 of their 37 meetings since that fateful night at Wembley.
Choosing profit over trophies
There has certainly been a distinct change in philosophy at the club over the last decade or so. During Klopp’s reign, the club fought ruthlessly to retain the services of key players. They changed tact in the post-Klopp era, leveraging their exceptional scouting and development skills to become the swankiest middlemen in European football. They invested in young talent, nurtured it, and then sold it at ridiculous profits, generating nearly £900m in player sales since 2015. This focus on fiscal responsibly has helped turn Dortmund into a highly efficient hedge fund. It’s the same business-focused myopia that destroyed Wenger’s reputation towards the end of his Arsenal reign. Players are sold just when they are on the cusp of becoming world beaters, aggravating fans who have grown emotionally invested. What motivation is there for a Dortmund fan to buy a shirt featuring one of idols? How many Haaland, Sancho and Bellingham shirts are there lying unused in the Ruhr area tonight? Ok, at least the Bellingham one can pass for now.
Inferiority complex
These financially motivated decisions have helped cultivate a feeling of inferiority. Dortmund have been the de-facto opposition party in German football since the mid 90’s, yet they currently operate like a team that is content with being also-rans (once again echoing late-Wenger Arsenal). I hesitate to say this, but Dortmund are in danger of becoming the German equivalent of Spurs. Just look at the Shakespearean tragedy that was their ill-fated 2022/2023 campaign. Bayern were all over the shop that season, firing Julain Nagelsmann before hiring Thomas Tuchel. Dortmund appeared to have seized the opportunity, requiring a win at home to Mainz on the final day to guarantee their first Bundesliga title since Klopp. They choked in generational fashion, gifting the title to one of the worst Bayern sides in recent memory. I don’t think they would have surrendered that title if they were still run like a club who want to win titles.
Alonso’s Leipzig run salt into wounds
Dortmund’s final-day indignity didn’t end there. They had to watch Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen achieve what they could not achieve in the very next campaign, as Die Werkself broke Bayern’s stranglehold on German football. Leverkusen did it in fine style, becoming the first ever German Invincibles. Can you imagine the effect that must have had on the Dortmund fanbase? Why are these imposters the ones to benefit from Vincent Kompany’s settling-in period?
More disappointment awaits
I just don’t see how Dortmund can pick themselves up after that crushing disappointment in Italy. Even if they were to beat Bayern at Signal Iduna Park, the deficit would still be five points (with Bayern holding an astronomical advantage in goal-difference). This looks set to be yet another ‘what if’ season for a club- and supporters- that deserve so much better. Do Dortmund fans really got to sleep at night thinking, gee, I can’t wait till Nico Schlotterbeck goes and we get closer to a billion in sales? I think not.
