What would it be like with Julien Duranville (17)? The Belgian top talent made a much-discussed transfer from Anderlecht to Dortmund and enchanted the fans there during his debut in the (lost) title match. Afterwards, due to a lot of bad luck, there was no follow-up. Although that could soon change.
In one of the darkest days in Borussia Dortmund’s history, he was the only bright spot.
Fans of the Schwarzgelben actually prefer not to think back to May 27, 2023. On the final day of the Bundesliga, they saw their beloved club lose the national title against Mainz. Due to an acute form of championship fever, Dortmund acted unrecognizable that day.
Only one player didn’t seem to be bothered by this: Julien Duranville.
“Doku-ian”, Filip Joos described his half-hour substitute in Extra Time. “He was Dortmund’s can opener in the match.”
What made it all even better was that Duranville actually celebrated his debut. The Belgian international left Anderlecht with a hamstring injury and had to mainly recuperate during his first months in Germany.
After the enchanting teaser, Dortmund couldn’t wait to see what Duranville would bring in the new season.
Tired of growth spurts
Nine months later, the statistics are sobering: just 45 minutes… in the U19s. And 0 pieces in the A-team.
What’s wrong, Julien?
During Dortmund’s American summer tour, Duranville quickly confirmed his talent. The youth international scored against the San Diego Loyals after just 2 minutes.
What was somewhat obscured by the goal: Duranville suffered an injury to his thigh later in the game. The winger was sidelined for weeks due to a muscle tear and missed the start of the season.
“After that goal, I thought that I had really left and could put my foot on the accelerator,” Duranville said later. “What happened afterwards was a great disappointment.”
And then the biggest blow was yet to come.
When Duranville resumed play against Dortmund’s U19s at the end of September, disaster struck again. The top talent relapsed with his old injury and again faced months of rehabilitation.
Comparisons with Doku were now of a completely different nature. Couldn’t Duranville’s young muscles handle so much explosiveness?
Or how a blessing can become a curse…
When Julien is with us, I enjoy watching him play football.
Edin Terzic
At the Dortmund medical department they decided to look for the cause of the persistent problems.
What turned out, according to local German media: Due to a growth spurt, Duranville had quickly grown 5 centimeters taller, making his muscles more susceptible to injury.
Dortmund then decides to be even more careful with its golden boy. First perform extensive rehabilitation and gradually build up the training intensity again at the end of December. Without forcing anything.
“Juju has not been able to build up a match rhythm for a year and a half,” said trainer Edin Terzic about the youngster’s return.
“We want to get consistency in his training work. That is why he alternates between the U19 and the A team. But when he is with us, I enjoy watching him play football.”
Nothing is mandatory, everything is allowed
Everything indicates that Dortmund fans (and us) will soon be able to do that again.
Because the Germans’ social media team delighted many on Monday afternoon by posting a photo of a broadly smiling Duranville on the team bus.
For the first time since May, our compatriot is once again in the selection of the A-team.
Will we see Duranville in action tonight in the Champions League match against PSV? Due to the presence of top players such as Sancho, Malen, Bynoe-Gittens and Brandt on the flanks, the pressure is not on the Belgian.
Nothing is mandatory, everything is allowed. Better to be cautious than to have another setback due to haste.
“But I am stronger now,” assured Duranville in an interview with the Dortmund club magazine.
“I have been working hard on myself to avoid injuries in the future. I feel lighter, calmer and stronger. I can’t wait to help the team reach its full potential.”
I feel lighter, calmer and stronger.
Julien Duranville
And in any case, the physical setbacks also had a positive side. Due to his long absence from the field, Duranville had more time to settle in his new homeland.
For example, a private teacher immersed Duranville in a German language bath several times a week. And after months in a hotel, with mom Masamba and dad Fréderick alternating between them, the entire Duranville family moved to the Ruhr area this summer.
Sister Sarah – also a talent – even makes a big impression with the U17 girls of Dortmund. In November she gave her team the final victory in the Kreispokal by making the decisive 2-0 in the final.
We bet her brother won’t want to be inferior in his return?
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2024-02-20 11:05:09
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