Quote from: AHOYBRAUSE on February 03, 2024, 11:56:41 AM

The problem not only are the away game results but especially the weak showing against relatively weak teams. Sure they won the last 3 games against bottom of the table teams, but in the first round already didn't look convincing against the same teams. Against Heidenheim they just played 2:2 at home, and now an even worse 0:0. If you can't beat a team like this it won't be enough to make it into the UCL, plain and simple.
These are crucial weeks for Dortmund, against these teams they MUST score because at a later stage of the season it only gets harder when they face teams like Bayern, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Stuttgart and so on.

Your assessment highlights a concerning trend, especially in Dortmund's performance against relatively weaker teams. While they secured victories in the last three games against bottom-of-the-table teams, the lack of convincing displays is evident, particularly when recalling the struggles against Heidenheim in the first round.

Drawing 2:2 at home against Heidenheim and now a goalless draw emphasizes a vulnerability that could have repercussions in their pursuit of UCL qualification. The stakes are indeed high in these crucial weeks, and the ability to secure points against teams they are expected to beat becomes pivotal.

The upcoming matches against stronger opponents like Bayern, Leverkusen, Leipzig, and Stuttgart will pose even greater challenges. The need for Dortmund to score consistently against teams they should overcome becomes imperative as they navigate these critical stages of the season. The upcoming weeks will undoubtedly test the resilience and scoring prowess of the team.

Quote from: Xcode7 on February 03, 2024, 12:41:14 PM

Quote from: AHOYBRAUSE on February 03, 2024, 11:56:41 AM

The problem not only are the away game results but especially the weak showing against relatively weak teams. Sure they won the last 3 games against bottom of the table teams, but in the first round already didn't look convincing against the same teams. Against Heidenheim they just played 2:2 at home, and now an even worse 0:0. If you can't beat a team like this it won't be enough to make it into the UCL, plain and simple.
These are crucial weeks for Dortmund, against these teams they MUST score because at a later stage of the season it only gets harder when they face teams like Bayern, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Stuttgart and so on.

Heidenheim is not a weak team, they are strong especially when playing at home and the draw against Dortmund is quite natural because on the other hand Dortmund's strength this season is not that strong and in my opinion it is not even stronger than last season.
If compared to Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Stuttgart, the Dortmund team is not stronger, so with the fierce competition this season, I quite doubt that Dortmund can finish in the top 4 of the final standings.

Your evaluation provides valuable context to Dortmund's recent draw against Heidenheim and offers a nuanced perspective on their overall strength this season. Acknowledging Heidenheim's strength, particularly at home, adds a layer of understanding to the outcome, emphasizing that the draw might be a more natural result than initially perceived,

It's an insightful analysis that considers both the specific match dynamics and the broader context of Dortmund's performance against top competitors. The coming weeks will undoubtedly shed more light on how Dortmund navigates these challenges and whether they can defy expectations in the race for a top-four finish,

Comparing Dortmund to the likes of Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Leipzig, and Stuttgart, you express skepticism about Dortmund's prospects of finishing in the top 4. The intensity of competition this season, combined with your assessment of Dortmund's relative strength, leads to doubts about their ability to secure a coveted position in the final standings,