Three paths, one fate: why the Büffelherde are struggling right now | OneFootball

Just a few years ago, an animalistic trio struck fear into the Bundesliga. The “Buffalo Herd,” as they were affectionately dubbed by Kevin Trapp at the end of 2018, really got rolling and steamrolled their opponents week after week. The trio, consisting of Luka Jović, Ante Rebić, and Sébastien Haller, excited football fans far beyond the Main river and ended up playing a successful season with SGE’s first incredible Europa League run, which ended in a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Chelsea FC.

True to the saying “You should stop when it’s (almost) at its best,” the paths of the three powerful attacking players parted ways the following season. Jović went to Real, Rebić moved to Milan, and Haller took the leap to the Premier League. Around seven years later, the careers of the Buffalos—who at one point seemed destined for the very top—are largely in ruins. Jović and Rebić are currently without a club, while Haller’s future at BVB is completely up in the air.

Why did things go downhill?

For Jović, the move to Real Madrid was probably just too much of a good thing. The Serb couldn’t even come close to establishing himself with the Royals and became such a regular benchwarmer that in football podcast circles, people joked he was just a guy living in Madrid.

Although the powerful striker was able to show flashes of his former brilliance during his stints in Italy, it was never enough for a major breakthrough. According to sources close to his clubs, it became increasingly difficult for the 27-year-old to push himself back to peak performance during his slumps, which only accelerated his downward spiral.

At least: According to Spanish media reports, Jović is currently in talks with LaLiga club Getafe. A way back to former strength?

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The path from the Buffalo Herd to clublessness was different for Ante Rebić. After his move to the Rossoneri, the Croatian initially impressed and could be found on the left wing for Milan for almost two seasons. But then his playing time steadily decreased. The move to Beşiktaş in 2023 didn’t help either. The 31-year-old made just 15 appearances throughout the season and didn’t score a single goal.

The following year, when Rebić tried his luck again in Serie A with Lecce, his goal threat didn’t improve. In 27 appearances, the former international managed just one goal and only narrowly avoided relegation. Whether Rebić simply peaked too early or perhaps overperformed for a while is hard to say. Both explanations are possible.

Haller suffers after illness

For Sébastien Haller, those explanations wouldn’t be fair. After his stint in England wasn’t particularly successful, he started scoring like crazy at Ajax and eventually made a big-money move back to the Bundesliga with BVB. What followed was simply bad luck. Just about two weeks after signing in the Ruhr area, the Ivorian was diagnosed with a tumor.

The 31-year-old underwent two surgeries and then had to endure a long period of chemotherapy. Despite these enormous physical and psychological challenges, Haller fought his way back and almost became German champion with BVB. Perhaps also because the Ivorian missed a crucial penalty against Mainz 05 on matchday 34, Haller fell into such a deep slump after the season that, even after loans to Leganés and Utrecht, he probably has no future with Dortmund.

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And so, after different career paths, various fates, life journeys, and decisions, the three Buffalos all find themselves at the low point of their careers. Maybe they’ll find at least a mid-sized club again, maybe they’ll head for the desert, or maybe one of the former herd will decide that their footballing days are over.

But maybe things will turn out completely differently, and the former dream trio will pick themselves up again. Maybe the three will remember their old name and band together as a herd once more to—no matter where in the world—strike fear into opposing defenses. One thing is certain: The three were never as strong as they were in the herd. Maybe that’s exactly where the solution lies.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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