Borussia Dortmund and European football nights are inextricably linked.
That at least has become the resounding sentiment of BVB fans around the world shortly after Juergen Klopp took over the reins at Signal Iduna Park in 2008-09. Klopp managed to initiate a fairy-tale transformation of a once shattered squad and within two years had lead his team back onto the European stage. Since then, Dortmund was able to enjoy a one-year stint of Europa League football and subsequently four consecutive Champions League campaigns.
This superb run might come to an end this year — much like the fate of Manchester United last year — and the idea of it fills most fans with dread. Ironically, though, a fall from grace might be exactly what Klopp needs right now.
While supporters of the earlier times may still recall the bleak days when Dortmund did not have floodlight matches scheduled at regular intervals mid-week, it by now has arguably become a stretch for both old and young followers to imagine the UEFA Champions League proceeding without the black and yellows. It has been accepted as the new standard in and around Westfalenstadion.
Failure to meet those expectations inevitably draws loud criticism and the fear of drastic change looms large. In football language, that means inflated, partly panic-fuelled criticism of reporters and pundits alike. The Dortmund side of late has been subjected to this left, right and centre. Yet little has been said about the potential upsides of missing the European train.
The rationale is simple: If today’s downfall shows anything, it is that the entire philosophy needs to be shaken up.
Everyone who has kept tabs on Dortmund since Klopp stepped up will confirm that the coach is best described as something of a creature of habit. It is a reputation that interestingly has not spread beyond the German media landscape even though it is fairly overt in many ways regarding his coaching choices. From day one, Klopp brought his idea of football to the table and worked eagerly towards realising it, which he achieved with the arrival of Lucas Barrios in 2009.
Ever since, Klopp has not tinkered with that formation at large. And why would he? Success has repeatedly proven him right. Barrios was eventually replaced by Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus brought in to replace Shinji Kagawa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan bought to fill the shoes of Mario Goetze. Prior to this season, Ciro Immobile was signed to compensate for the loss of Lewandowski. This time around, however, he finds his plan faltering.
A look at Klopp’s preferred lineups in 2009, 2012 and 2015 demonstrates this easily. In fact, over six years they have remained almost eerily alike. There is an argument to be made that if certain players had not decided to leave or retire, Klopp would have fielded an identical team for the last three to four years.
Klopp is extremely loyal to his players, which is also evidenced by his determination to re-sign Kagawa and Nuri Sahin. It is unquestionably heart-warming, but is it proactive enough? If Dortmund finish the season on a cheery note (achieving Europa League football), it is more likely Klopp will cling to his ways than without that late stamp of approval. A shake up would simply not transpire.
Perhaps this is the right time to hit rock bottom. The likes of Sebastian Kehl and Roman Weidenfeller could see a sabbatical as their cue to retire and make way for a new generation of players. Klopp himself stated that while he is willing to give promising youth team footballers a shot eventually, it would have to be outside of the European competitions.
Misfortune could force him to finally keep his word and integrate a host of youth team players, just as he used to on arrival in 2008 with Marcel Schmelzer, Kevin Grosskreutz and others. The latter would now be given a run for their money by kids such as Jeremy Dudziak or Felix Passlack, names we should memorise.
In addition, one or two big earners will likely get dropped from next season’s payroll; not necessarily because Dortmund are financially compelled to, but rather because those players might not be itching to take part in another lengthy Dortmund renaissance. As for those who stick around, they would prove beyond a doubt their degree of commitment to Dortmund. What would remain is a heavily downsized but tightly knit group of both internationally renowned stars and aspiring youngsters.
That and a more open-minded manager, whose firm beliefs have been challenged for the first time, sound like a gripping combination. A combination which could actually lead to Dortmund having another crack at the Bundesliga title next season, albeit at the cost of international football for now.
At the end of the day it is a head versus heart matter. Most of us, me included, will celebrate if Dortmund make the cut for Europa League football, and that is perfectly understandable. Nonetheless a hint of doubt remains. Perhaps Dortmund could use more than a minor hiccup to galvanise the people in charge, staff and players, and perhaps that can serve as consolation if Dortmund ultimately fail to qualify.
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