With Marco Reus, Mario Götze and Andre Schürrle all lining up in a Borussia Dortmund team for the first time in 13 months in the 1-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, coach Peter Stöger enjoyed a luxury his predecessor Peter Bosz was never afforded.
The result was completion of a record-breaking eight-game unbeaten start to life as Dortmund boss for the former Cologne coach, so what exactly has changed since he took the reins of a team stumbling along a nine-game winless run under his predecessor? Let bundesliga.com try to explain…
Stöger's outstanding record can be taken with a pinch of salt, considering that the previous holder was none other than Bosz, who started the season with six wins and a draw before losing for the first time on Matchday 8.
Watch: Highlights of Dortmund's Matchday 23 win at Gladbach
Stöger's outstanding record can be taken with a pinch of salt, considering that the previous holder was none other than Bosz, who started the season with six wins and a draw before losing for the first time on Matchday 8.
After that, a decline ensued which, without a crystal ball, could still befall Stöger. However, a closer look at his team and the numbers behind it suggest Dortmund are more settled than they were under the Dutchman; a similar collapse can arguably be ruled out.
Stöger appears to have tightened the loosening screws at the back. While Bosz's downfall played out with 21 goals shipped in his final eight games, his successor's side have conceded just six in eight at an average of 0.75 per game, compared to the 1.53 conceded over the course of Bosz's 15 games in charge.
Bosz's Borussia boys did score more, averaging 2.3 per game (compared to the current 1.6), but as impressive as this statistic may be at first glance, it conceals a hidden truth: his attacking approach left his team susceptible at the back. Indeed, five of those 21 goals conceded in his final eight games came on the counterattack. Dortmund's defence has been breached only once on the break since, suggesting a better balance and overall organisation under Stöger.
Stöger had an inspired Roman Bürki to thank for his side's 1-0 win at Gladbach. © imago / Team2
One aspect Stöger appears to have improved the most, however, cannot be quantified by numbers, and that is the psychological state of his team. The self-confidence levels are sky high and the performance of the much-maligned Roman Bürki last weekend epitomises that, with the Swiss custodian setting a season record for shots saved, and admitting afterwards that he is aware of the criticism often levelled at him.
"I try my best all the time and I am well aware that sometimes it doesn't always come off, but I'm really pleased that it did today," said Matchday 23's Man of the Matchday.
Bürki is not alone in appearing transformed under the new coach. Schürrle, Götze and Shinji Kagawa have been producing some of their best form this season, while Reus and Lukasz Piszczek have looked inspired since recovering from injuries.
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