Julian Weigl: Another rising star at Dortmund

It always seemed obvious that Thomas Tuchel and Borussia Dortmund were going to be an ideal fit.

Tuchel’s tenacious tactics are reminiscent of those of his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, whose free-flowing attacking style garnered Dortmund so much success over his eight-year stint at the Signal Iduna Park.

Another trait that Tuchel shares with Klopp is his willingness to give youth its chance, and, during Dortmund’s opening day demolition of Borussia Monchengladbach, there was one youngster in particular who stood out.

Signed from second-tier 1860 Munich in the off-season, Julian Weigl was instrumental as Dortmund asserted their midfield supremacy on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who became the youngest-ever captain of his former club just six months after making his first-team debut, displayed all the qualities that Dortmund’s midfield has been shorn of without the presence of Nuri Sahin.

Turkish international Sahin, once again side-lined through injury, played a key role (when fit) for Klopp; dictating Dortmund’s play from a deep-lying role in at the base of midfield.

However, Sahin’s injury problems, combined with those of Ilkay Gundogan over the previous two seasons, have left Die Borussen without a key cog, with Klopp often having to employ (the now retired) Sebastian Kehl and Sven Bender as a holding-midfield duo, who both lack the playmaking abilities of Sahin.

Even when Gundogan returned to the line up, opposition attackers were able to capitalise as the 24-year-old pushed further forward to get involved with play, with Bender or Kehl lacking the pace to cover.

With Gundogan eager to push further forward in midfield, Tuchel requires a natural sitting player to plug the gap.

The signing of Gonzalo Castro from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen represents another option for that midfield berth, but, like Gundogan, he is best-equipped at playing further up-field.

Bender, while a solid defensive option, does not have the passing ability to kick-start Dortmund’s attacks from deep, meaning Gundogan often has to drop deeper in order to do so.

But these issues may well have been solved with the integration of Weigl.

Weigl is already adept at protecting possession – something he proved during pre-season, and backed up with a terrific performance against Monchengladbach.

While perhaps lacking the vision and passing skill of Sahin, his range is ideal for a natural sitting player with a more adventurous playmaker alongside him.

Weigl’s main talent is his positioning sense. Situated in and around the centre circle, he patrolled the area superbly on Saturday, playing with the game in front of him and applying pressure as soon as Monchengladbach’s midfielder’s received possession.

His tackling ability also shows a lot of promise, with his pace over ten-yards allowing him to nip into challenges cleanly – his composure on the ball enabling him to look up and pick out the swiftest, suitable and most efficient pass to a teammate.

As well as allowing Gundogan a free-role alongside Shinji Kagawa, Weigl’s defensive shield also provided Mats Hummels – as good on the ball as any deep-lying playmaker – the opportunity to venture into the space vacated in midfield.

And while this is nothing new for Dortmund, Weigl’s pace means he has the ability to cover two areas of the field. Whereas Hummel’s strolls out of defence often cost Dortmund last term, Weigl positioned himself perfectly against Lucain Favre’s outft to intercept any potential counter attack.

Tuchel’s system worked superbly in Round One of the Bundesliga fixtures, suiting the players he has available. Weigl excelled in his role – and it can only be a positive for a player of such a young age to be trusted with one of the most vital, yet understated, positions on the field.

If the youngster carries on this form, then there is no doubt he is set for the very top.

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