Borussia Dortmund have climbed to the top of the Bundesliga, at least temporarily, but the manner of their progress reveals a team still searching for consistency. A late Maximilian Beier goal in the 80th minute secured a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 7, lifting BVB level on 17 points with Bayern Munich. The victory was hard-earned and unconvincing for long stretches, with Joey Veerman the standout performer in a side that needed a substitute to settle the game.

The biggest concern surrounding the club right now is Felix Nmecha. The 26-year-old was substituted in the 79th minute against Frankfurt having delivered another below-par display, and analysis from within the club suggests he is nowhere near the form that made him one of Europe's most coveted midfielders last season. Trainer Niko Kovac has acknowledged the issue publicly, and a spell on the bench looks increasingly likely, with Jobe Bellingham tipped to start Tuesday's DFB-Pokal tie against Werder Bremen.

Off the pitch, uncertainty surrounds Ramy Bensebaini, whose contract expires at the end of the season with no renewal talks reported. The Algerian defender impressed against Frankfurt but remains behind three others in Kovac's defensive pecking order. Meanwhile, transfer speculation linking Nmecha to Manchester United and AS Roma adds a layer of instability the club could do without. The Pokal meeting with Werder Bremen, live on ZDF, arrives as a chance to build momentum before next Saturday's Klassiker against Bayern in Munich.