🎢 Bundesliga star's rollercoaster: From outcast back to centre stage?

🎢 Bundesliga star's rollercoaster: From outcast back to centre stage? Will we finally see a title race worthy of the name again this season? If Niko Kovac has his way, Saturday evening’s "Der Klassiker" could be the starting point. "At last, an exciting clash," the coach enthused ahead of the trip to Bayern Munich. "It’s not just us—everyone in Germany is looking forward to this game." Kovac has a point. Two teams level on points will indeed be battling for top spot at the Allianz Arena. Everyone in Germany would love that still to be the case in 2027. After all, the last three titles (two for Bayern, one for Leverkusen) were won without too many nervous moments. It has now been more than three years since the last truly gripping two-way battle for the trophy. Back then, Dortmund threw away the title against Mainz on the final day in front of their own fans. The following summer, they signed a man who was supposed to help bring a winning mentality back to the Ruhr. Marcel Sabitzer moved from Munich to BVB for a hefty €19 million. He had previously won two league titles with Bayern. 📸 CHRISTOF STACHE A hero’s story out of nowhere! "I want to do my part to help BVB achieve their goals and give them every reason to celebrate something special with their fans again as soon as possible," Sabitzer said at his unveiling. Former sporting director Sebastian Kehl also had high hopes for the Austrian’s arrival: "We’re convinced that his personality will also make him a key pillar of the team and help us become more of a threat, especially in closely fought games." Just over three years on, the verdict is mixed. Sabitzer played a major role in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final, particularly in the second half of the 2023/24 season. The quarter-final second leg against Atlético remains especially memorable, as he contributed to three goals in the 4–2 win. More recently, however, things have been bumpier for the 32-year-old. His reality has been a role off the bench rather than a starting spot. Many fans have also repeatedly voiced their displeasure at his performances in less-than-kind terms. In recent days, reports of a departure when his contract expires in 2027 have gathered pace. According to 'Sky', BVB want to focus more on younger players with greater room to develop. But Sabitzer is far from finished. He proved that emphatically against Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday. With Dortmund heading straight for extra time after squandering a 2–0 lead, the veteran struck at literally the last second. His direct free-kick sent BVB into the round of 16—and gave him a long-overdue moment in the spotlight. "He has an incredible foot, an incredible shot," defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck raved afterwards. He added: "I think Sabi really deserved that after the last few weeks and months, when he’s often been unfairly criticised." Sabitzer himself savoured the moment, and especially the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park: "This stadium thrives on emotion. Quite a few stories have been written here." This Saturday, however, Dortmund will not be able to count on their black-and-yellow cauldron for support. Instead, they travel to Sabitzer’s former home in Munich. There, the midfielder is once again more likely to be called upon from the bench. But that is no reason to underestimate him. "Somehow, he’s the man for the big goals," Schlotterbeck summed up, also referring to Sabitzer’s heroics against Atlético, when his long-range strike sealed a place in the Champions League semi-finals. Perhaps he will repeat that feat this weekend and send Dortmund top of the table. Because one thing is also certain: if Sabitzer does end up taking on his intended role as a leader in a title race, the final word on a new contract will not have been spoken either. To do that, though, he needs to pick up where he left off against Werder and score important goals in big games. The match in Munich would be the perfect stage. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.