For much of the Bundesliga season, Dortmund have thrilled fans with their play and results.
However, after a fantastic start to their campaign in the German top-flight, which put BVB well clear of reigning champions Bayern Munich, a poor recent run of form looks set to cost Lucien Favre’s team the German title.
A 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen on Sunday means that BVB are four points behind the Bavarians heading into the final two gameweeks of the league campaign. The fact that Bayern have recorded ten wins in 12 league games suggests the Bavarians are unlikely to slip up in their final two matches.
Dortmund have endured mixed fortunes in recent seasons, despite having a talented squad they have been highly inconsistent. The stellar start to the campaign looked set to end BVB’s struggles for consistency and wait for a top-flight title.
In the end, though, Favre’s team have failed to hold their nerve and collapsed under the pressure of Bayern breathing down their necks in the race to claim the title.
As so often in recent campaigns, the Bavarians have found form when they most needed to, while Dortmund have thrown away another big lead. A case of history repeating itself in the Bundesliga.
This season both teams had new coaches. Niko Kovac took some time to adapt to his role in Munich, while the experienced Favre seemed to settle right in at Dortmund. However, as the season has grown the two teams’ performances have been polar opposites.
Missing out on the title could be costly, with young England international Jadon Sancho linked with a move away from the club this summer. Losing one player is not likely to destroy a team, but winning the title may have encouraged BVB’s best players to stay.
Dortmund may never get another chance as good to win the Bundesliga title. Their struggles for consistency in recent seasons make their title win in 2012 even more impressive.