Anthony Modeste is still stuck at his new employer Borussia Dortmund. The 34-year-old forward has scored just one goal and failed to provide an assist in 630 minutes of play this season. His young competitor, Yousssoufa Moukoko, on the other hand, has 4 scorers in just 270 minutes of play. His former coach, Peter Stöger, who used to train Cologne and Dortmund, now took him under his protection.
Just last season, Anthony Modeste snapped 20 times for 1.FC Köln in the Bundesliga. This motivated BVB to bring in the Frenchman as a temporary replacement for Haller. With his size, presence and scoring prowess, Modeste promised to be the right attacker. So far, however, the harmony with the team has not been right at all.
However, ex-coach Stöger warns against underestimating the strengths of the player. “Modeste may not be the player for the classic Dortmund game, but he is a second option. He’s a real force with set pieces and high crosses. He uses his body like few others. With a player that you can play high and who secures the balls, you are harder to calculate”, he pointed out the advantages of the attacker. Stöger is certain that the player’s achievements are underappreciated and refuses to label Modeste a flop. “Regardless of statistics, I have the feeling that he works more for the team than he usually did in Cologne. Working was never his favorite discipline in the past. Under Steffen Baumgart he got used to it over time,” Stöger praised his ex-protégé.
Modeste’s work for the team and his ability to save balls and assert himself in physically tough duels are repeatedly cited as justifications for Modeste. However, his pass rate of 57 percent and his tackle rate of 35 percent do not necessarily speak for him. That’s why many BVB fans say that Moukoko is clearly the better choice and that Modeste doesn’t really add value. Nevertheless, Modeste can also be in the starting XI in today’s duel against Cologne.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Modeste jammed at BVB: Stöger defends his ex-protégé.