Bundesliga Round 5: Dortmund’s Unexplained Slump and Stuttgart’s Formidable Forward Trio

The fifth round of Bundesliga matches saw drama unfold on both ends of the table, particularly in the clashes involving Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart. Dortmund's unexpected collapse in a 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart has left fans bewildered, questioning the reasons behind their sudden downturn in form. Meanwhile, Stuttgart’s front three have been firing on all cylinders, forming a potent offensive trio that could be the driving force behind their resurgence this season.

Dortmund vs Bochum: Can They Wake Up?

Borussia Dortmund's season started on a positive note, with strong performances in both the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. However, their humiliating 1-5 loss to Stuttgart last week has dramatically altered the mood surrounding the team. Before the match, fans had high hopes for Dortmund, expecting them to continue their unbeaten run. Instead, what transpired at the Mercedes-Benz Arena was a defensive disaster and a complete unraveling of a team that seemed poised for a title challenge.

The lone bright spot for Dortmund in that game was the goal scored by Guirassy, the striker they signed from Stuttgart over the summer. However, his solitary contribution was far from enough to salvage anything from the match. Defender Anton, who also joined from Stuttgart, had an even more forgettable outing, offering little resistance to his former teammates. Stuttgart’s players breezed through Dortmund’s defense as if they were training cones, exploiting wide spaces and capitalizing on poor positioning from defenders like Ramy and Schlotterbeck.

The nadir of the match came during Stuttgart’s fourth goal. Right midfielder Milo, surging from the flank, took on Dortmund’s fullbacks and center-halves, weaving past two defenders near the goal line before squaring the ball to Théo Lucien Touré for a simple tap-in. It was a goal that encapsulated Dortmund's lethargy and lack of defensive cohesion. The two defenders guarding the goal line allowed Milo to maneuver between them with barely a challenge, leaving fans furious.

Bochum’s Battle for Survival

Dortmund's upcoming opponent, Bochum, has been in a battle for Bundesliga survival for the past few seasons. They are familiar with the stress of being at the bottom of the table, and this season is no different. After four rounds, Bochum finds themselves with just a single point, sitting alongside two other teams in a deadlock at the foot of the standings. Their most recent match, a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Kiel, saw them miss out on a crucial opportunity to earn three points.

Bochum’s approach against Kiel was aggressive, as they took a 2-1 lead before halftime. However, their overly cautious tactics after gaining the lead allowed Kiel to mount a comeback. In the final moments of the match, substitute striker Shuto Machino, a Japanese forward, scored an equalizer, stealing a point for Kiel and further adding to Bochum’s frustrations.

Despite Bochum’s struggles, their familiarity with relegation dogfights means they will not roll over easily. Dortmund, bruised and battered from their last outing, will need to be sharp to avoid any further slip-ups. Bochum may not have the talent to match Dortmund, but their gritty approach and defensive tenacity could pose problems if Edin Terzić’s side shows any lingering mental scars from the Stuttgart debacle.

Given Dortmund's desperation to regain their form, we can expect them to come out firing against Bochum. However, Bochum may very well snatch a goal, especially if Dortmund’s defense remains as porous as it was last week. The question remains: will Dortmund be fully awake by the time the Champions League fixtures roll around?

Wolfsburg vs Stuttgart: Guirassy’s Legacy Forgotten?

While Dortmund grapples with their internal issues, Stuttgart has surged back into form after a rocky start to the campaign. Following two disappointing losses, in which they conceded three goals in each match, Stuttgart’s attack has finally clicked. Beginning with their third-round victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, Stuttgart has looked like a completely different team, netting nine goals in their last two Bundesliga outings.

The departure of star striker Serhou Guirassy in the offseason could have spelled doom for Stuttgart’s attacking prowess, but instead, their offense seems to have diversified. The front three of Deniz Undav, Ermedin Demirović, and Enzo Milo has emerged as a formidable force, with Demirović even challenging Harry Kane for the top spot on the Bundesliga’s goal-scoring chart.

Last week’s demolition of Borussia Dortmund showcased the best of Stuttgart’s offensive firepower. Demirović, with his clinical finishing and intelligent movement, was a nightmare for Dortmund’s defense. Meanwhile, Milo, the young French winger, displayed a flair and unpredictability that kept Dortmund’s fullbacks on their heels. Together, these three players have formed a dynamic attacking trio, capable of both individual brilliance and collective synergy. If they maintain this level of performance, Stuttgart could challenge for a European spot by the season’s end.

However, the midweek Champions League loss to Real Madrid has added a note of caution. Stuttgart fell 1-2 to the Spanish giants in a hard-fought match. With a must-win game against Sparta Prague looming, Stuttgart will need to manage their squad carefully to ensure their top players remain fresh for both domestic and European competitions. But Wolfsburg will be looking to take advantage of any fatigue or complacency.

Wolfsburg, despite facing three of the top four teams in the Bundesliga early in the season, has put in respectable performances, narrowly losing by just one goal in each match. Their latest match against defending champions Bayer Leverkusen was a roller-coaster affair, with Wolfsburg going into the half-time break with a 3-2 lead. But the intensity of the first half seemed to sap their energy, and Leverkusen took full control after the break, eventually winning 4-3.

Wolfsburg has shown flashes of brilliance, but they have struggled to maintain consistency over 90 minutes. Stuttgart’s attackers, especially Demirović and Milo, will look to exploit any weaknesses in Wolfsburg’s defense. Given that Stuttgart cannot afford to rotate too heavily with their Champions League campaign in mind, we are likely to see a tightly contested match.

Wolfsburg will be well aware of the threat Stuttgart poses but may have a chance to exploit any lapses in concentration from their opponents. Stuttgart, on the other hand, might only unleash a portion of their potential firepower, as they try to conserve energy for their European commitments.

A Season of Shifting Momentum

As the Bundesliga enters its fifth round, the momentum of teams like Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart is shifting rapidly. For Dortmund, the 1-5 loss to Stuttgart has raised alarm bells, and how they respond in their match against Bochum will be telling. Can they shrug off the mental and physical fatigue that has plagued them? Or will Bochum, a team accustomed to scrapping for points at the bottom of the table, push them further into uncertainty?

Stuttgart, meanwhile, is riding high with their attacking trio finding the back of the net regularly. If Undav, Demirović, and Milo can maintain their form, Stuttgart might have a shot at a successful domestic campaign, even as they juggle their Champions League responsibilities.