Dortmund - It is said that the table never lies, but one glance at the standings over the winter break would cause most seasoned observers of German football to do a double-take.

Champions of Germany as recently as 2011 and 2012, and UEFA Champions League finalists at Wembley a little over 18 months ago, Borussia Dortmund are languishing in 17th place following ten defeats in the first half of the campaign. bundesliga.com looks back on what has been one of the most miserable periods in Borussia's illustrious history...

Click here for a statistical analysis of Dortmund's season so far...

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Top facts

Only Bayern (66 per cent) averaged more possession in matches than Dortmund (54.6 per cent) in the first half of the season

Collectively, BVB have covered an average of 120,3 km per game, a greater distance than any other side in the division.

Borussia have made more sprints than any other team in the division, recording an average of 243 a game

Flop facts

Borussia Dortmund have needed 17 shots per goal this season; only Hamburger SV have a worse chance conversion rate

BVB have conceded seven goals from counter-attacks, more than any other team

Only bottom club SC Freiburg (six) made more mistakes that led directly to goals than Dortmund (five) in the Hinrunde

Best of social media

Best quote

"The best thing about today is that the football year of 2014 is over."

- A dejected Jürgen Klopp after Borussia's final game of the calendar year, a 2-1 defeat at SV Werder Bremen on Matchday 17.

Best game

Matchday 16: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 VfL Wolfsburg

A wonderfully exciting game for the neutrals, Dortmund were just a few minutes away from securing only their fifth win of the season thanks to goals from Aubameyang and Immobile. Unfortunately for them, Wolfsburg’s goal-poaching centre-back Naldo was on hand to deny the Schwarz-Gelben with a late header.