When high-flying Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund host relegation-threatened Hanover 96 this afternoon they will be playing with the focus and intensity of a major title match thanks to coach Lucien Favre.
The Swiss, in his first season at Dortmund, has quickly achieved a level of ruthless efficiency and consistency, missing badly in previous campaigns, that has given them a six-point lead over champions Bayern Munich.
Favre, nicknamed ‘the Brain’ for his tactical nous and attention to detail, has seen his team notch 14 wins from 18 matches in the Bundesliga so far, second best only to Dortmund’s 2010-11 title season under then coach Jurgen Klopp.
This campaign they have firmly established themselves as title contenders with Favre succeeding where predecessors such as Thomas Tuchel and Dutchman Peter Bosz had failed in the past.
Having lost only twice in all competitions this season, they also kicked off the year with a win over RB Leipzig last week as the Bundesliga resumed after the winter break.
“Our success is mainly thanks to him,” said midfielder Axel Witsel, who was signed from China’s Tianjin Quanjian this season and has become their game’s anchor point.
With a 94 percent pass completion rate, 30-year-old Belgium international Witsel, whose transfer raised more than a few eyebrows at the time, has proven his worth so far.
“He (Favre) tries to speak to everyone,” the midfielder told Sky television in Germany. “One of his strengths is that even if we win 3-0 or 4-0 he keeps looking for our weaknesses.”
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