Harry Kane scored a hat-trick for Bayern Munich in last season’s Der Klassiker, but this time he was upstaged by compatriot Jamie Gittens, who scored a sensational solo goal himself.
The young England winger left Konrad Leimer chasing in vain after running from the middle of the pitch to Manuel Neuer’s head and the Westfalenstadion roof with it as he fired the ball high into the Bayern net for the game’s opening goal.
Speaking to Felix Nmecha after the game, he was open-eyed about his team-mate’s performance.
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Jamie Gittens scored Der Klassiker’s first goal with a great solo and finish
Gittens, 20, is having a breakout season at Dortmund, which started with two goals against Eintracht Frankfurt and has now seen him score in each of his last three games .
His integration has taken time, but with 14 starts already this season, the impact substitute has now taken off the substitute part of that name, something Nmecha has witnessed since their days together at Manchester City.
“Obviously he came from the youth (team). Especially in the last year, with his growth and development and more playing time. He gets more experience and starts making the right decisions at the right time. It pays off.”
Route to Dortmund
When it comes to grooming young English talent, Dortmund know how to do it better than most Premier League clubs, but Gittens’ story differs from that of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who came before him for big money.
Bellingham arrived after a season in the Championship with Sancho Phil Foden as one of the gems of Manchester City’s academy. Signed at just 16, Gittens did not come with the same guarantees.
The Reading prospect had only spent two years at City but was nowhere near the first team when Dortmund moved reach our first team.”
These are the words of Lars Ricken. “When we signed him, he wasn’t at Sancho’s level, but we said we can get him to the level of a great player. It was a good collaboration between our scouting department, the professional department and the youth department.”
Ricken, answering questions Sky Sports In the office on the other side of the stadium, where Gittens now shines, is the club’s sporting director and the hero of their Champions League triumph in Munich in 1997. Naturally, he has followed the footballer’s progress closely.
“I remember when he was playing with the youth team, we said we need time until April and then he will be ready for the first team. Under Marco Rose (in 2022) he has made his debut since then development, especially this season.
His stamina has improved. “I don’t think he even played 90 minutes last season,” adds Ricken. “Now he’s improving his playing time. He’s the player who makes the difference, scoring important goals and providing a lot of assists, to be honest.”
Jamie Gittens heatmap and shotcard for Borussia Dortmund this season
Dortmund’s difference maker
That phrase, a difference maker, is the same phrase used by Dortmund CEO Carsten Kramer. “He is very important at the moment, even if we have some problems, he can make a difference with his individual quality,” he says. .
“We convinced him to sign with Dortmund. We had good evidence through the others we signed, and not just the English ones. The younger ones know that they will get minutes on the pitch, that Dortmund is a great platform.
“He is a good example for others that Dortmund gives you time to develop yourself, even if you have bad luck with injuries. We are happy with the way he plays, the way he behaves. so low. He’s the perfect Dortmunder.”
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Speaking in August, Jamie Gittens tells us about his life at Borussia Dortmund
What do the legends say?
A perfect Dortmund boy. There is no big club in European football that takes more pride in styling itself than a small family operation.Ricken is far from the only former player in the management team, even head coach Nuri Sahin has worn the yellow of Dortmund.
The legends of the club are kept close. Speaking to Roman Weidenfeller, their World Cup-winning goalkeeper, he also speaks warmly of the youngster currently lighting up the team. “He grew up here. He has speed, can shoot and is smart. He works behind the defense.”
Weidenfeller also alludes to the injury problems that have delayed his progress. “It can be difficult for him on the field.” Last year there was a shoulder problem, before that an ankle ligament injury. “Hopefully now he’s stronger and healthier.”
Paul Lambert, who won the Champions League with Ricken in 1997, is optimistic, speaking at the museum in the stadium, which celebrates those past achievements, Lambert explains.
“He has started to overburden.” He means it in a good way. “He looks like a bigger guy than when I first saw him. He was still young on the bench and coming off the bench. You could see he was ready to come.”
And, Lambert insists, there is no better place for that to happen a career awaits.”
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Watch Jamie Gittens’ goals for Borussia Dortmund against Eintracht Frankfurt
What next for Gittens?
Of course, with Dortmund’s model being what it is, the question of Gittens’ long-term future will never be too far from the conversation. “Maybe that’s your next question, but it’s not our intention to sell him because we want to be as successful as possible,” Ricken says.
Kramer insists that Dortmund are in no rush. “Our ambition is to keep him as long as possible. We want to keep him as soon as possible.”
As a strategy, it makes sense for now. Gittens has just started his journey, even if goals against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich suggest his progress is starting to accelerate. Consistency is also necessary.
Against Bayern, he had a chance to double Dortmund’s lead but for a weak touch. Gittens can still get in and out of games, his sloppy style, inviting challenges doesn’t always work become frequent.
So do the headlines, and with Thomas Tuchel taking over as England manager in January, the chances of Gittens’ Bundesliga signings have dwindled. It wouldn’t be a surprise for Nmecha if he is next in the lineup.
He is in amazing shape, says the midfielder. “He’s definitely asking questions. I just hope the best for him. I wish him all the best in the next camp because he’s got a huge future ahead of him ahead.”
Already the hero of Dortmund’s classics, perhaps Gittens will, very soon, overshadow Kane in England’s jersey as well.
