Marco Reus: The Talismanic Player Driving BVB’s Success in the Bundesliga

2023-10-03 16:57:00

They simply exist – these players with that certain something.

Players who can decide games with one action. Players who have a special aura about them.

When it comes to BVB, one such player has been Marco Reus for more than ten years. Born in Dortmund, he is currently the main reason why his hometown club is tied with FC Bayern in the leading group in the Bundesliga after six matchdays, despite significant differences in terms of play (14 points, 4th place).

The long-time captain scored on each of the last three match days and led coach Edin Terzic’s team to three wins in Freiburg (4:2), against Wolfsburg (1:0) and in Hoffenheim (3:1).

Reus is no longer the indispensable player for Borussia that he was at his career high. Even at the advanced footballing age of 34, it is still vital to survival in certain phases.

Marco Reus draws level with Jupp Heynckes

What has always distinguished Reus is that he scores the important goals.

On matchday 5, he scored 1-0 against VfL Wolfsburg for the 62nd time in the Bundesliga, drawing level with Jupp Heynckes. Only four players – Manni Burgsmüller (71), Robert Lewandowski (75), Klaus Fischer and Gerd Müller (86 each) – scored the first goal of a game more often in Bundesliga history.

He can also still rely on his outstanding technique, a skill that, unlike athleticism and speed, ages well in professional football. Of all people, long-time critic Dietmar Hamann emphasized how complicated it was at second glance when scoring his goal against the Wolves. “Five players in the league don’t do that,” said the “Sky” expert. Reus had “taken” a low cross from Julian Brandt in the penalty area with his right foot at full speed behind his supporting leg.

A hit, a work of art.

Reus belies long-time critic Hamann

Back in January, during the tough negotiations between the Westphalians and their captain at the time, Hamann always spoke out in favor of a separation between the two parties. “I wouldn’t extend with him,” said the former international on “Sky90” in February. Reus has “great merits, but they didn’t manage to become champions with him,” said Hamann, who was right about this fact over the past season.

However, BVB is currently impressively refuting another theory from the former Liverpool professional. The “Sky” expert sees Brandt as a beneficiary of a Borussia without Reus: “Why does Julian Brandt play so well? He always had his best phase when Reus wasn’t there. Reus wasn’t there for a long period of time, Brandt was full established.”

In the current season, however, the two national players are two of the few BVB players in normal form. The teamwork worked excellently in the past games.

Those who are said to be dead live longer.

Marco Reus: New role, same quality

Reus seems liberated these days. Freed from the big spotlight in which he stood for years, freed from the “burden” of captaincy, which he resigned from in the summer. In the past, the armband often seemed like a burden for the offensive star, which he was sometimes more or less able to cope with.

Emre Can has been Borussia’s first captain since this summer, Reus’ role is now different. The 34-year-old is no longer expected to be an undisputed regular player and was not used at all on matchdays 2 and 3 against VfL Bochum (1:1) and Heidenheim (2:2). Fittingly, these are exactly the games in which BVB dropped points this season.

Conversely, this means: If Reus plays, BVB wins.

Also against AC Milan next Wednesday (from 9:00 p.m. in the live ticker)?

BVB coach Terzic: “We distribute opportunities, not punishments”

1696352960
#Marco #Reus #BVB #role #consistent #quality #Reus #remains #vital