Bundesliga comeback on the cards? Why this scapegoat is set to shine

He has "no interest in helping the team" (Didi Hamann), "a duel behavior like in a preparation game" (Stefan Effenberg), and is generally in a sporting low of "dramatic proportions" (Ruhr Nachrichten). There were more fives and sixes in individual reviews than on any pubescent middle schooler's report card. Julian Brandt was sharply criticized last season. Not only amateur managers had long suspected: He will really take off again in the new season.

Those who prefer to trust numbers rather than expert opinions will already be protesting. Because the last season wasn't that bad for the Dortmund player. Ten assists in the Bundesliga were the joint best value for the Borussians in 2024/25. Unlike colleague Pascal Groß, Brandt also scored five times himself. Also, league-wide, the playmaker is in the top 10 in his core competence.

But since August 2024, a different standard applied in the Ruhr area for the 48-time national player. That's when ex-coach Nuri Şahin made him vice-captain. An honor that quickly became a burden because the role does not suit him. He does not fulfill the cliché of a classic leader, "stand like a one in the wind, scratch, bite, be loud, have broad shoulders" or "also sometimes wrap one around", as he aptly described it in a media round before the start of the Club World Cup.

📸 Pedro Salado - 2025 Getty Images

Until the spring of 2025, no one else at BVB did either. But Brandt literally became the face of the sporting crisis. His always somewhat grim look or the occasional drooping of the shoulders overshadowed his footballing skill. His harshest critics never had serious doubts about the latter - and that's exactly why they were (too) hard on him. He did not show what he could do.

Meanwhile, the carrot to the whip was provided by Niko Kovac. Since his inauguration in February, the Croat has regularly praised his protégé. Positioned "our Jule" in a row with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Defended him against media criticism and made it unmistakably clear before the away game against Hoffenheim in April: "I know he divides some. But he does not divide me at all. I am totally convinced of him". 

Trust that obviously did Brandt good. In the remaining four Bundesliga matches, the 29-year-old collected six scorers. Big points were not only for BVB in the ultimately successful final sprint for the CL places. But also for many amateur managers of various football simulations. 

To finally break his psychological chains, Kovac plans to take another measure before the start of the new season, according to 'Bild'. The coach plans to relieve Brandt of his vice-captaincy so that the creative player can fully develop again. The Brandt danger should in the future again concern the opponents' penalty areas and not the team structure of BVB.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU - AFP or licensors