by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Marco Rose's return to Dortmund with RB Leipzig this Saturday will likely stir mixed emotions. His single season in charge of Borussia Dortmund in 2021-22 ended in disappointment, with the team finishing second in the league but exiting early from the UEFA Champions League and the German Cup.
What Dortmund hoped would be a fresh start with Rose, a promising coach acquired from Borussia Monchengladbach for 5 million euros, quickly soured, and he was dismissed amid a cascade of unmet expectations.
Now, Rose returns to face his former club under vastly different circumstances, with Leipzig sitting second in the league and excelling defensively, with only three goals conceded in eight matches.
Rose's tenure at RB Leipzig, a club that embraces a modern and commercialized approach to football, stands in contrast to Dortmund's traditional, fan-centered identity. Despite some narrow losses to Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool in the Champions League, Leipzig have been dominant on the domestic stage, remaining unbeaten in the league so far and trailing only Bayern Munich on goal difference.
With a strong domestic record and a 19-game unbeaten league streak stretching back into last season, Leipzig have found stability and a depth of talent that is paying dividends, even amid a few injuries.
This match represents a potential turning point for Dortmund, who are grappling with a severe dip in form and a seven-point deficit to the league leaders. For Leipzig, a victory would reinforce their domestic momentum and widen the gap over Dortmund, potentially cementing them as a top contender.
For Rose, the trip to Dortmund serves as both a reunion and a reminder of an unfinished chapter-one that, judging by Dortmund's ongoing struggles, appears to have changed little since his departure. ■
