Marco Reus, out of form?

Everyone is aware right now, aware that BVB Dortmund are in a sticky situation, a poor run of form and ultimately at a difficult phase in the season, they sit just 3rd ahead of ‘Gladbach and an outstanding 14 points off Bayern, only at the halfway stage. And to top that off, Robert Lewandowski’s transfer to Bayern ready for the summer is complete. But one glaring problem is the dip in form of Marco Reus? Can he re-discover the old or is it time to panic? I personally think it’s only a matter of time before we get one of the most dangerous players in the world back to his best.

Last year was the year Dortmund set themselves apart from the rest and announced themselves as part of the World’s elite. Robert Lewandowski, Mario Götze and Ilkay Gundogan joined Reus as the quartet which really made Dortmund big last year, without undermining the superb ability of the rest of the squad; the likes of Hummels, Bender, Blaszczykowsi and Großkreutz and the additions of Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang and Sokratis in the summer were good additions at that. But with Götze gone, Lewandowski going and Gundogan out with a back injury, Reus has been the main man, and unfortunately not a very effective one at that.

Reus has all the attributes to be one of the best wingers/second strikers in the world, that’s for sure. Some may argue he has already proven this, and I agree. Devastating pace on a counter attack, outstanding footwork and technical ability, exceptional at the through ball and linking with a striker and midfield, dangerous running in-between the oppositions defence and a top finisher, not to mention that on his day, with the ball at his feet, the stadium stops and Dortmund look extremely threatening. But on a consistent basis? Not quite yet.

2 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 Dortmund games, 10 if including internationals for Germany, isn’t the contribution that Jurgen Klopp and the BVB faithful would have had in mind for their starlet. Now if Dortmund are to continue to progress in the Champions League and get that Champions League spot, and I imagine they want 2^nd, not 4^th, something needs to kick some life into Reus.

It appears that Klopp fields a 4-2-3-1 regularly, however maybe a 4-3-3 would prove a worthy change. 3 in midfield would give more strength, stability and solidity in the centre of the park with the hope of controlling the tempo of the game; Bender would be at the heart of this with Sahin and Mkhitaryan as likely counterparts, maybe Kehl. The front 3 would ideally be Lewandowski down the middle, Aubameyang down the right with blistering pace and Reus on that left flank, an inside winger, one to drift inside and join in with the midfield in creating opportunities, whilst have the option the take the ball wide and create more space for his team mates. He plays on the left of a 4-2-3-1 now yes, but that 3 in midfield would costless Aubameyang and Reus in particular to shine going forward.