Story by
Where the Foundation for Success Lies ...
- Story by
- Where the Foundation for Success Lies ...
Where the Foundation for Success Lies ...
Gregor Kobel kept four clean sheets in the first six matchdays. His 67 percent clean sheet rate is once again significantly higher than that of the entire previous season (44%). Conceding only four goals is a unique achievement across the league. The xGoals value for BVB's opponents is also the lowest in the Bundesliga (4.9)—no surprise, since Borussia Dortmund has also allowed the fewest clear-cut scoring chances by opponents (only two).
Kobel can rely on an exceptionally strong defensive line. New signing Joane Gadou (65.9% of challenges won), defensive leader Waldemar Anton (61.1%), and the outstanding Nico Schlotterbeck (69.5%!) form the league's most solid defensive unit. On average, BVB's back three win two out of every three duels (65.5%), placing them ahead of the defensive lines of their direct rivals from Munich and Freiburg in terms of success rate—though the comparison isn't entirely apples-to-apples, since FC Bayern (53.7%) and SC Freiburg (62.9%) play with a back four.
The defensive movement is also fundamentally sound across all parts of the Dortmund squad: so far, the Black and Yellows have allowed only three shots on goal by opponents following a counterattack. Only Bayern Munich is even more vigilant in this regard. Boris Rupert
