Götze gone: What next for Dortmund?

Dortmund's wonderful fans put on a show before the second leg against Malaga.

23rd April, it was revealed over Twitter, (of course) that Mario Götze would be leaving Borussia Dortmund to join Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich for thirty-two million pounds. A move that would send shockwaves round German and world football, that same night, Bayern would dismantle Barcelona four goals to nil. Prompting questions of just how good this Bayern team can get with Guardiola at the helm and Götze in the side.

Where do Dortmund go from here?

The news couldn't have came at a slightly worse time for Dortmund, just twenty-four hours before their own semi-final clash against Real Madrid at the Signal Iduna Park, despite the ever loveable Jurgen Klopp's best efforts to deflect the attention off of Götze  it was inevitable he would be bombarded by the press. With Klopp saying, "We have all dreamed of this situation and will not let anything distract us from it. In fact, maybe such a blow will make us even stronger." Admirable, but without doubt this will hurt Dortmund and their fanbase, with Götze having put pen to paper, extending his contract until 2016. While Dortmund have quality through-out, added pressure will be placed upon Reus, Kuba and Lewandowski, should he choose to stay.

Klopp has said he's known Götze was leaving, ever since the return leg versus Malaga. This has angered fans, losing arguably one of the best talents in world football to their biggest rivals in terms of national trophies is a huge blow, and with hitman Robert Lewandowski and defender Felipe Santana also looking set to leave this Summer could be massive in terms of Dortmund's near future. The problem is, who will replace the stalwarts of the team that has ruled the roost over German football in the two years previous? To get players of this quality in terms of value of what they could leave for, will certainly prove difficult, especially with Financial Fairplay rules coming in next year and still having debt to pay off, Dortmund's decision will be difficult.

Who will replace Gotze?

Eriksen has played against Dortmund twice this year, in the Champions League.

Speculation has massively ramped up that Dortmund will chase twenty million Danish starlet Christian Eriksen of Ajax, who along with Götze, are the two brightest prospects in terms of European football in my humble opinion. The playmaker will not come cheap however, but should Dortmund get him it will be a massive coup and Götze's departure may be soon forgotten by the Dortmund fans. The Danish wonderkid is a vital part of Ajax's current side, having scored nine times and set up a further fourteen, BVB will be getting a like for like replacement and possibly one who will perform to even higher levels than that of his predecessor. Another name mentioned was Julian Draxler of Dortmund's Ruhr rivals Schalke 04, with a part exchange for Santana mentioned as part of the deal, but as of now that seems unlikely with Eriksen the firm favourite to replace the departing Götze.

Why aren't Dortmund given the credit they deserve? What about tonight's game?

Honestly, it's beyond me, they've been written off before the competition started and now they're being written off again. They haven't been beaten yet in the Champions League and are the only unbeaten team remaining, with a 100% record at home scoring ten and conceding three. With resilience in abundance  there is no reason why the Schwarz-gelben can't get a result tonight. I also can't understand why Dortmund aren't seen as a European powerhouse, with such a young, capable squad and bottle in abundance. 

The following games and months will be a huge test for Jurgen Klopp.

With the best fans in Europe behind them, crazy and wonderfully colourful, it isn't the fans that are the problem. People see Dortmund's weakness financially, still in debt after almost going bust a few years ago, the club are still recovering and haven't been able to splash the cash that Bayern have been able to, but have signed sensibly. They've recruited the services of Nevin Subotic and Sven Bender for several more season, while signing Reus for seventeen million euros has proved to be a stroke of genius for the club. The lack of spending may put off players from joining, feeling that there isn't enough desire to progress, but as long as Jurgen Klopp is at the helm Dortmund will continue to impress and move forwards.

Now with rumours circling that Lewandowski too has moved from West to South and joined Bayern, with Edin Dzeko wanting a move back to the Bundesliga, his name is firmly in the frame, as Scheiber is unlikely to become first choice, it's in the balance who'll replace the Pole. The day has gotten a lot tougher for Dortmund and this game against Madrid will be a true test of their character.

My Twitter: @JWalsh97