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Opinion: Rejoice, Kagawa's back!

Ross DunbarFebruary 22, 2015

'Kagawa is kagawaing like a Shinji 2012 gonna Kagawa' read one tweet on Friday. How true? Ross Dunbar, for one, think he has been key to the Dortmund revival of recent weeks.

https://p.dw.com/p/1EfoL
1.Bundesliga, Saison 2014/2015, Spieltag 21, Borussia Dortmund vs FSV Mainz 05 Shinji Kagawa
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Gladys Chai von der Laage

Shinji Kagawa's stint at the Asian Cup in Australia has appeared to be a blessing in disguise - the Japanese attacking-midfielder has entered a vein of form not seen from him since he took the league by storm in 2010.

The Japan national team endured a tumultuous tournament Down Under; regarded as favorites by many, they eventually lost out to the pre-tournament minnows United Arab Emirates. Kagawa missed one of the decisive penalties in the shootout and the sight of him slumping to his knees in despair proved to be one of the iconic images for the Samurai Blues.

Low on confidence and fatigued, Kagawa returned from Asia's premier international tournament with a point to prove. His performances in the first half of the season had not given much hope to the Dortmund faithful, with his only goal or assist coming on his 'second debut' against Freiburg.

However, the quartet of Kagawa, Marco Reus, Kevin Kampl and Pierre-Emerick has regained the missing dynamism and aggression for BVB in the counter-pressing strategy, which was missing for long spells of the first half of the season.

But it's the former Manchester United man whose fortunes have changed most impressively since the turn of the year. What is striking is that it comes after such a terrible stint at the Asian Cup - was this just a case of Shinji getting the bad form out of his system, or has he now gained momentum born out of regular football?

Whatever the cure, it seems to be working. In the hinrunde, Kagawa's only notable performance was the first-half against Bayern in November. Now back to his best, this attacking virtuoso is once more showing an outstanding ability to find pockets of pace that nobody else can find on the pitch.

Had Kagawa not assisted two of the goals in Stuttgart, there would have still been much to write about - the midfielder has been influential in a resurgent Dortmund overall since the restart of action in January.

Three assisted goals in three games and a very confident, albeit assist-less, performance versus Mainz sandwiched inbetween, represents an excellent return to form.

He's evidently so instrumental in making this team tick. Kagawa has stepped up to the mantel which has been vacated by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the team's former master of short-passing combinations and link-up play. Without either of these two players, Dortmund's game just isn't the same.

Above all else, though, it's just delightful to see the 25-year-old rediscover his game after what turned out to be a torrid time at Old Trafford when he faced the wrath of the English media for his lack of an impact.

Welcome back, Shinji.