Borussia Dortmund has faced numerous challenges this season, and one of the biggest mysteries has been the unexpected decline of Julian Brandt. Brandt, who was at his peak last season and played a key role in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final, is now a shadow of his former self. German media describe him as out of form and believe the creative midfielder can no longer make a difference. This has become a serious problem for Dortmund coach Niko Kovač.

After a heavy defeat at Montjuïc against Barcelona, Dortmund needed to rebuild morale and confidence. The 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, while not a satisfying result, was necessary for team spirit. Captain Emre Can said after the match that while the goal was three points, earning one was still satisfying. However, Dortmund still faces challenges in securing a Champions League spot. They are six points behind Leipzig, fourth in the table, and with only five weeks left, the pressure on Kovač’s team is high.

In the match against Bayern, Kovač addressed some of the weaknesses seen at Montjuïc and achieved promising results for the return leg against Barcelona. However, the Brandt problem remains unresolved.

Brandt, who shone between midfield and attack last season and led the team with quality and talent, is now ineffective in both defense and attack. Against Bayern, he failed to resist Serge Gnabry and passively contributed to the opponent’s equalizer. In attack, he had little impact, and media outlets like “Kicker” speak of his deep decline. They believe Brandt is under psychological pressure and even Kovač’s constant support may soon end.

As the return leg against Barcelona at Signal Iduna Park approaches, all eyes are on Kovač’s decision: Will he trust Brandt again, who played 90 minutes at Montjuïc, or will he bench him? Dortmund needs a better version of Brandt to close the points gap in the Bundesliga and keep hopes alive in Europe, but for now, this mystery remains unsolved.