Goals, goals conceded, young talents, development: BVB head into the final stretch of the season full of ambition
Goals, goals conceded, young talents, development: BVB head into the final stretch of the season full of ambition Let’s start with the numbers: there are three games left to play – away at Gladbach, against Frankfurt, and away at Bremen. There are 9 points still up for grabs – if they pick up all nine, Borussia Dortmund would finish the 2025/26 season with one more point to their name than in their title-winning 2010/11 campaign. Back then, they had the league’s strongest defence, conceding just 22 goals (a club record).
They have it now too! 31 goals conceded after 31 matchdays is also the second-best tally in Borussia Dortmund’s history. Gregor Kobel has already kept 14 clean sheets (a league-best).
The defence is the foundation of their success. But the often-criticised attack has nothing to be ashamed of. 65 goals scored are not only the second-highest tally in the league, they are roughly the same haul that Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal have reported at the same stage of the season in their respective leagues.
“We played with great, great commitment and demonstrated the tactical elements the manager has been working on with the team this week. That’s an important signal that we’re keen to keep developing,” explained sporting director Ole Book after the 4-0 win against Freiburg, whilst head coach Niko Kovac summed up: “We’ve tweaked our approach slightly in terms of how we want to break down the opposition. I liked the way we kept possession, especially in the first half, how we moved the ball around, and how we pushed the opposition back.
” He also called for “quick, confident passing in future – then we’ll always find the free player”. Kovac had set the team up and instructed them to play more offensively. Not two hard-working wingers who never neglect their defensive duties, but just one (Julian Ryerson) was in the starting line-up.