Marco Reus believes Borussia Dortmund haven't had a striker in the style of Erling Haaland since Robert Lewandowski. - © imagoimages
Marco Reus believes Borussia Dortmund haven't had a striker in the style of Erling Haaland since Robert Lewandowski. - © imagoimages
bundesliga

Marco Reus on Erling Haaland: "We haven't had that kind of striker since Robert Lewandowski"

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Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus believes that with Erling Haaland in their squad, BVB can play a way they haven't been able to since the days of Robert Lewandowski at the Signal Iduna Park.

It's now almost six years since Lewandowski left Dortmund for Bayern Munich and the black-and-yellows have employed many strikers in an attempt to replicate the Pole's incredible goalscoring prowess.

The likes of Adrian Ramos, Ciro Immobile and Michy Batshuayi have all been and gone as Dortmund's style of play has been chopped and changed since the days of Jürgen Klopp's heavy metal football.

Marco Reus will be looking to build a similar connection with Erling Haaland as the one he had with Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund. - imagoimages

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 98 Bundesliga goals for Dortmund but brought with him a totally different style to that of Lewandowski, using his speed to get him in the right place at the right time more often than not.

Now, though, Reus believes that Dortmund have a No.9 with the strength, size and stature that reminds him of his former Polish teammate who has gone on to become one of the greatest Bundesliga’s goalscorers of all-time. The only difference is he's wearing the No.17.

"I don't think we've had that kind of striker since Robert Lewandowski," Reus told Sky Germany. "He [Haaland] gives us the option to be more flexible and to play in different systems and styles.

"He's a very open guy. First of all, it's important to get to know him. He gives us another way of playing and we have to be able to work with him, too, and bring out all his strengths. But that will all come about in time."

Watch: Haaland on why he chose BVB!

For Dortmund, the goal this season remains the same as in every other: to win the title. It's something they achieved twice in a row with Lewandowski playing up front. The arrival of Haaland, as Reus says, gives Dortmund another dimension to their squad. One that could possibly play a pivotal role in where BVB end up in the table come the end of 2019/20.

"If you look at our squad, what more could you ask for in terms of quality?" Reus said. "We have to show it on the pitch, then our squad can take us anywhere. We've got a very good striker and new options, therefore, we're in a good place.

"[Winning the title] is as realistic as it was at the start of the season. I wouldn't say it's in our own hands, but we're definitely in the right place to fight back. Don't forget about Dortmund now [in the title race]."