It has been a HORRIBLE end of the year for Dortmund. They have lost the pace totally in the league, have had pretty much most of their first team on the sick bed, and there is even talk of their jewel, Reus, maybe getting bought in January. For Klopp and Watzke, it's not been pretty, hence why this break was most definitely needed for them to recuperate.
The main issue that Dortmund have had has been what has given them all the success. TEAMS NOW KNOW HOW THEY PLAY. It is similar to Barcelona, but just like the Spanish bros, once you have players who are so proficient at a style of play, the opponent can't do much even if they know how you will play.
Without Gundogan, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer, teams have been able to better stifle the Dortmund quick pass strategy. The players that remain are still good, but they are FAR more dangerous when they have their full force. So you might say it's a slight deficiency in Klopp's coaching that he has been unable to tweak their approach play, as well as offer more protection to a defence that have lost three starters.
Klopp will NEED some new players in the January transfer window. A holding midfielder and a two defenders should be top of that list. Far too often teams have been able to run through their midfield and there is not tough tackler who can track back and also help out the defence when an opponent counters on them.
I believe in Dortmund. They are too good for the game of football to just die out and wither away. Klopp just needs to dig into his tactical mind and try and alter the way his team plays. Be more simple, take one less pass and try and be more aggressive and pragmatic in how they go about attacking, as well as being smarter when they defend and working on anticipation and positioning. The league is done, but there is a German Cup to win as well as some unfinished business in the Champions League.
HH
