By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Serious crisis or just a temporarily phase of weakness? The controversial debate around the Bundesliga's leaders Borussia Dortmund in danger of gambling away the 2019 German title might come to an end as the side is desperately hoping for the return of their undisputed leader Marco Reus.
The club's dependency on the 29-year-old, who missed the last three games due to a muscle injury, couldn't be more significant. Many assume, only the German international can make Dortmund win the 2019 national championship.
When the Blacks and Yellows meet their former coach Peter Bosz with Bayer Leverkusen on their home ground this weekend their seven-point-lead has melted down to only three points ahead of runner-up Bayern Munich. The Bavarians already have opened fire on their rival, mentioning crunch time has come with them facing Dortmund in one of the 12 remaining season games in Munich.
Statistics tell the story about Dortmund's quality when team captain Reus is around as the forward delivered 17 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season.
With Reus on the pitch, Dortmund achieved 2.42 points on average, without him only 1.69. Even more striking is the difference when it comes to goal scoring. With Reus the figures went up to 2.63 goals on average, without him the data dropped down to only 1.33.
Former Chinese Super League performer Axel Witsel called it "not more than a little crisis." Pundits assume the squad has lost a lot of its nonchalance.
While sports director Sebastian Kehl and former BVB coach Matthias Sammer try to ease the tension by talking down a possible crisis is the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke speaking clearly about Reus' enormous effect on the team's success.
The 59-year-old compares Reus' values for his colors with the superstars like Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo when playing for Real Madrid.
"When Messi is out, Barcelona's football isn't the same as with him in the lineup," Watzke commented adding "it was the same with Real and Ronaldo as Real wouldn't have lost to underdog FC Girona last weekend."
Reus is much more for Dortmund than just the responsible force providing goals and passes Watzke emphasized. "He loves to play in a team, and his teammates are aware he is the one who makes them perform better," Watzke said.
Watzke said it is no surprise that "our young team has to go some darker hours during the season." Expectations have increased significantly after the brilliant first half season the team has landed in reality, Dortmund's club boss commented after vital performers such as Reus, Lukas Piszczek, and Manuel Akanji had to be replaced.
Despite the debate about Reus, he is convinced his side has enough quality to win the German title race after being eliminated in the German Cup by Werder Bremen and having lost the first leg of the last-16 round in the Champions League against Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspurs by 3-0.
But things seem to develop in the right direction when it comes to Reus' return this Sunday evening. According to a media report, the striker has reported back for duty and said he feels in satisfying shape after a break of 19 days.
While Dortmund officials remain cautious regarding their superstar, everyone in Dortmund is convinced, Reus would give the side a great motivation boost as he seems to be the club's only valid life insurance.
