Champions League
Kehl and Simeone clash: “It was about countering it”
Borussia Dortmund’s sports director Sebastian Kehl in an interview
© Federico Gambarini / DPA
The quarter-final first leg between Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund is not only heated on the pitch. Things are also busy on the sidelines. This doesn’t surprise Dortmund’s coach.
“I didn’t notice it, but it’s just part of it,” said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic on DAZN after the 1-2 (0-2) draw in Madrid on Wednesday evening: “You know that you don’t just have eleven players here on the pitch, but also all the guys on the bench, all the coaches. And the fact that things can get heated in the coaching area is nothing new, that doesn’t surprise us.”
Borussia Dortmund maintains its chances of progressing
The Argentinian Simeone is known for his hot-blooded nature; he repeatedly tries to push his team and the audience in the Estadio Metropolitano with wild gestures and a lot of shouting. It worked very well in the first half; Dortmund seemed almost intimidated by the atmosphere and the aggressive nature of their opponents.
“You have to be honest, they ate us up in the duels in the first half,” said captain Emre Can, “but we didn’t put up with that in the second half.” Some players were “maybe a little nervous” at first.
During the half-time break, coach Terzic demanded exactly what he had already set as his route at the beginning. Terzic revealed that he “didn’t want to talk about tactical things” in the dressing room “when we are so anxious.” “In the second half you saw what we are capable of.”
That’s why Terzic didn’t want to pay too much attention to the argument on the sidelines between Kehl and Simeone. “The important thing is that we have worked out the situation so that we can move into the next round in Dortmund next week,” said the BVB coach: “We are really looking forward to what awaits us in Dortmund next week.” The second leg will take place next Tuesday at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund’s chances of progressing are not bad thanks to Sébastien Haller’s late goal (81st minute).