|
|
Borussia Dortmund has beaten Bayern Munich three consecutive times and now in the transfer market in signing Marco Reus
The Bundesliga title holders have not only added a star player to their ranks, but issued a statement to their opponents that they will not back down on any stage
Jan 5, 2012 6:14:00 AM
By Clark Whitney
Getty Images
There has been a growing trend in the Bundesliga over the last several years: that the winning team alternates annually between Bayern Munich and another club. In 2007, the outsider was Stuttgart; in 2009, Wolfsburg. In both instances, the champion suffered a massive drop in form the following season as Bayern regained its dominance.
The trend continued in 2011 as Dortmund claimed the title on an odd-numbered year. But the current holder has broken from the path of its predecessors as it recovered from a drought of form early in the season to find itself just three points behind table-toppers Bayern at the mid-season point.
There was something different about Dortmund in its title-winning year. Whereas both Stuttgart and Wolfsburg only won the title with a late surge, BVB played well the entire season, and came close to setting records for points earned and fewest goals conceded in a Bundesliga season. While most other teams would hide, at times even letting the grass grow long before a home match against Bayern, Dortmund took on the German record champion head-on with an attractive, intense game. And its boldness has been rewarded: BVB has won its last three fixtures with the Bavarians, two of which were played in Munich.
But while there has in recent years been the occasional threat to Bayern’s dominance on the pitch, the Bavarians have never been challenged in the transfer market. Not until recently, that is. Quite simply, Bayern has too much money for any of its opponents to compete against. It can offer better opportunities and higher wages, and other domestic clubs are often left with little choice but to sell a star player.
But Dortmund has again broken the mold. On Wednesday it made perhaps its boldest and most daring move yet in signing Marco Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach. Bayern made its interest in the 22-year-old quite clear several months ago, and maintained a consistent narrative until only recently, which coincided with rumors of the player’s preference for his hometown club.
Claims from the Bayern management that the player was not ready for the move to Munich or was too expensive were just attempts to save face, and rather weak at that. Reus only further bolstered his credentials during the campaign, and Bayern not long ago spent nearly double his release clause to sign Mario Gomez. No, this was a rare instance in which another German team challenged the Bavarians in what truly is their dominant game, the transfer market, and won. This is not the first time: Bayern made an inquiry about Mats Hummels earlier in 2011, but were promptly shot down by BVB, which swiftly came to terms with the player over a new contract that eliminated his release clause.
Bayern fans will rue Reus’ decision, but for the Bundesliga as a whole, the player’s transfer to Dortmund is a healthier decision. It proves that BVB has emerged as an alternative capable of attracting young stars who might otherwise look abroad. The current Dortmund team includes eight current and former Germany internationals, the most for a team other than Bayern in quite some time.
DORTMUND WITH MARCO REUS - THE POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
While his addition is a big coup and already a victory of sorts, it is too early to determine whether Reus will be the missing link that will turn Dortmund into the powerhouse it was in the late 1990s. BVBs main problem in the Champions League this season was a lack of experience, and at 22 and with just three international caps, Reus’ arrival will do nothing to alleviate concerns over the team’s mettle on the big stage. Jurgen Klopp’s men will have to hope they learn from their mistakes.
But domestically, BVB has emerged as a real contender for Bayern by winning the Bundesliga and keeping pace in the current campaign, and now in signing Reus. It is young, its stars are settled and happy with the club, its youth program is among Germany’s best, and it enjoys a healthy financial status. Fans, lean forward in your chairs: the Bundesliga's rivalry at the top has just become a whole lot more interesting.
Follow CLARK WHITNEY on
The trend continued in 2011 as Dortmund claimed the title on an odd-numbered year. But the current holder has broken from the path of its predecessors as it recovered from a drought of form early in the season to find itself just three points behind table-toppers Bayern at the mid-season point.
| HOW WILL DORTMUND PAY FOR REUS? |
|||
 |
|||
| Valued at 17.5 million euros, Reus is Dortmund's most expensive transfer since Marcio Amoroso's 25m euro signing in 2001, a move that later contributed to BVB's near-bankruptcy. Recent reports have claimed Dortmund can recoup up to €12m for the sale of Lucas Barrios, and €8m in allowing several players to leave on Bosman transfers. |
|||
But while there has in recent years been the occasional threat to Bayern’s dominance on the pitch, the Bavarians have never been challenged in the transfer market. Not until recently, that is. Quite simply, Bayern has too much money for any of its opponents to compete against. It can offer better opportunities and higher wages, and other domestic clubs are often left with little choice but to sell a star player.
But Dortmund has again broken the mold. On Wednesday it made perhaps its boldest and most daring move yet in signing Marco Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach. Bayern made its interest in the 22-year-old quite clear several months ago, and maintained a consistent narrative until only recently, which coincided with rumors of the player’s preference for his hometown club.
Marco Reus is definitely an interesting player. He is young and in the German national team. Our goal is to bring more Germany internationals to Munich
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to Sport-Bild, Oct. 26
|
 |
|
Claims from the Bayern management that the player was not ready for the move to Munich or was too expensive were just attempts to save face, and rather weak at that. Reus only further bolstered his credentials during the campaign, and Bayern not long ago spent nearly double his release clause to sign Mario Gomez. No, this was a rare instance in which another German team challenged the Bavarians in what truly is their dominant game, the transfer market, and won. This is not the first time: Bayern made an inquiry about Mats Hummels earlier in 2011, but were promptly shot down by BVB, which swiftly came to terms with the player over a new contract that eliminated his release clause.
| Providing extra support in the midfield, this set-up would allow Milan to give Robben more freedom if anything given the extra numbers in behind him |
DORTMUND WITH MARCO REUS - THE POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
| GROSSKREUTZ REPLACEMENT |
STRIKER IN 4-4-2 | ||
| Weidenfeller P'czek - Subotic - Hummels - Schmelzer Bender - Leitner Gotze - Kagawa - REUS Lewandowski |
Weidenfeller P'czek - Subotic - Hummels - Schmelzer Gotze - Bender - Leitner - Grosskreutz REUS - Lewandowski |
||
WINGER IN 4-3-3 |
'FALSE NINE' IN 4-3-3 |
||
| Weidenfeller P'czek - Subotic - Hummels - Schmelzer Leitner - Bender - Gundogan/G'kreutz REUS - Lewandowski - Gotze |
Weidenfeller P'czek - Subotic - Hummels - Schmelzer Leitner - Bender - Gundogan/G'kreutz Gotze - REUS - Kagawa |
While his addition is a big coup and already a victory of sorts, it is too early to determine whether Reus will be the missing link that will turn Dortmund into the powerhouse it was in the late 1990s. BVBs main problem in the Champions League this season was a lack of experience, and at 22 and with just three international caps, Reus’ arrival will do nothing to alleviate concerns over the team’s mettle on the big stage. Jurgen Klopp’s men will have to hope they learn from their mistakes.
But domestically, BVB has emerged as a real contender for Bayern by winning the Bundesliga and keeping pace in the current campaign, and now in signing Reus. It is young, its stars are settled and happy with the club, its youth program is among Germany’s best, and it enjoys a healthy financial status. Fans, lean forward in your chairs: the Bundesliga's rivalry at the top has just become a whole lot more interesting.
Follow CLARK WHITNEY on
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.