Under Niko Kovač, Borussia Dortmund have proved to be a tough nut to crack. They’re rigid and organised defense is the backbone of all of their games and always gives them a chance to get something from any game.
As per OptaFranz, BVB have kept a clean sheet in 53% of all Bundesliga matches this season (10 out of 19). This is the best record in Europe’s top five major leagues and can only be matched by PSG in Ligue 1.
If Dortmund were just as effective in attack and able to put teams to bed when dominating matches, they would be going neck-and-neck with Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title right now.
One of the biggest assets in BVB’s defence has to be Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck.
The 26-year-old central defender is having a great season and also helped BVB to a comfortable 0-3 victory away at Union Berlin in matchday 19. So good was his performance that he won GGFN’s Player of the Week.
However, the defender is out of contract in the summer and is yet to make a decision on whether he’ll extend his stay or go elsewhere. The defender is currently being monitored by some of Europe’s best, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
“I’ve set a personal deadline for myself,” said the 26-year-old.
“I won’t say when it is. Definitely before the summer, though.”
Should BVB keep their defence asset while improving their strikeforce this summer, they could have the makings of a great side that may just push Bayern for the title
GGFN | Jamie Allen
