In the 2007-2008 season, dortmund had a very good start. But while momentary brilliance and victories will cover the deficiencies, it doesn't define a whole season.
Without consistency, everything else is meaningless.
That is the case with Borussia Dortmund this season.
While Marco's talent and plays caught the attention of the whole europe, this didn't solve the problems the team currently facing. The lack of consistency was evident throughout the season.
The inconsistency in performance and results began after the starting phase.
They lost consecutive games, wasted precious points but won in a spectacular fashion when they were in the zone.
Historically the 2007-2008 season was one of the most challenging ones in the modern history of Borussia Dortmund. This period is often remembered as their worst league performance in several decades.
The only difference between that team and the current dortmund team is the early inclusion of a certain 18 year old winger.
Marco wanted to salvage the team from this bitter season and elevate their position to some place better. And so far he has managed to somewhat improve their performance by creating several goals.
But this effort still has its limits. It's only an impossible dream to carry the whole team into the top 4.
the main problem is that the manager Thomas Doll failed to find a successful back two combination.
Dortmund's current main center backs are the two veterans Christian Worns and Robert Kovac. Whether in terms or ability or experience, the qualification of the duo is unquestionable.
But for some reason, their combination often comes out as ineffective and idiotic. They struggled with coordination, leading to several "comical" defensive lapses and own goals that frustrated the manager to no end. Even a layman can notice that the defensive line looked 'panicked' most of the time.
And their options are also limited due to the shallow depth of the bench. Due to their recent financial crisis, the club didn't have the leeway to sign established stars of high salaries. Their options are limited to signing some old veterans or unproven young players and hope to get lucky.
But so far, it seems that luck didn't favour them at all.
In other departments, such as midfield and attack, their ability was not bad, in fact it was quite good.
Reus frequently created scoring chances, while the rest of the midfielders focused on ensuring him enough ball time.
This tactic, finding great success so far, effectively added the position of attacking midfielder into Marco's repertory. This was not some genius tactical innovation, but was established based on the 'first rule of programming': "If it works, don't touch it."
the squad's major find of the season, aside from Marco Reus was the striker Mladen Petric, who is currently their top scorer, who scored his 8th goal of the season before christmas. The striker arrived from FC Based for approximately €3 million and quickly established himself as the most clinical finisher during the season.
Another notable figure in the forward line is the polish winger Jakub "kuba" Blaszczykowski who is set to become a club legend and the member of Dortmund's iconic polish trio along with Robert Lewandowski and Lukasz Piszczek. He is a tenacious right winger who is the engine of the right flank and has the ability to deliver high quality crosses.
There is also Sebastian Kehl, the future captain who was still battling the lingering effects of a long-term knee injury, limiting his influence in the midfield for a large chunk of the matches.
Overall, with seven wins, five draws and six losses, they are hovering at eighth place of the point table during the Christmas break.
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Marco spent his christmas vacation most with his families and Scarlett. He didnt train much during this period except basic physical fitness routines. It wasnt because he was lazy, but because that was a necessity. As a bundesliga starter his teenage body was constantly under immense pressure. This break is a hard earned luxury that he cannot afford to waste.
Compared to other top 5 leagues such as the premier league or spanish league, bundesliga is known for its substantial winter breaks, known as 'winter pause' lasting about 17-22 days. For teams this is also time reorganise and correct mistakes they have made during the season.
On January 12,2008 dortmund restarted training in full swing. To avoid the bad climate in Germany, the training was held at Marbella training camp, Spain.
The morning session was just about to start and Marco was jogging through the slightly warm atmosphere, to stretch his joints. His teammates greeted him when they saw him.
Marco was the standout performer of the whole season, already scoring 4 goals and creating 16 from 16 appearances. And with such performance, his status in the team was very high—on the same level as senior players.
As he was chatting with them, he suddenly realised that a somewhat familiar player appeared on the side lines clad in training gear. Although this was Marco's first time seeing him, he realised who was that from the first glance.
Although his appearance was that of a teenager, his gait carried a natural maturity and confidence. His eyes seem to carry an arrogance that seems to assert himself over his opponents and teammates alike.
They didn't have to wait for long before the coaches introduced him—Mats Hummels, loaned from Bayern Munich.
Most of the squad didn't put much hope on this defender who didn't quite fit the mold of a traditional german feedback, but Marco knew otherwise. Hummels was never a traditional 'hard-hitter' who cleared the lines. He was a modern 'libero' trapped in the group of traditional centre backs.
And it didn't take long for him to stand out in the training. Even during his first training with a new team, he was never afraid to speak his mind. Even as a newcomer, he would give instructions to veteran defenders around him, showing the natural leadership qualities.
He had spent much of his youth at Bayern playing as a defensive midfielder, so he possessed the ball control and composure of a playmaker. Although he cannot out do the veteran players in sole defensive ability, his calm and confident personality gave the dortmund's backline a much needed stability.
Although it is not there yet, with the addition of Hummels, the Dortmund backline has improved visibly during the winter break training sessions.