Bundesliga
BVB back in frustration mode after last-minute collapse
Dortmund were completely frustrated after the last-minute defeat. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Never before has a Bundesliga team conceded three goals in the 88th minute after leading 2-0. The fact that a title aspirant meets a promoted team makes the blackout particularly embarrassing for BVB.
For coach Edin Terzic it was “brutally stupid”, for captain Marco Reus a “shock” and for defense chief Mats Hummels a “relapse” into times he thought he had overcome. After the historic last-minute collapse in the 2: 3 (1: 0) against Werder Bremen, disillusionment is back in Dortmund.
The fact that BVB was the first team in Bundesliga history to concede three goals from the 89th minute was embarrassing for everyone involved. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl was still frustrated the day after: “We can’t let Werder Bremen take the butter off our bread in six minutes in our own stadium. That can’t be our claim.”
Stability not yet found
All of Borussia’s hopes of finally finding more stability after years of constant form fluctuations turned out to be wishful thinking. The questionable blackout of the team in the final phase against a promoted team was unworthy of a title aspirant. Despite all the disappointment, Kehl felt little desire for an early declaration of surrender in the championship fight with FC Bayern. “We won’t give up after the third match day. Otherwise we can close the whole place. We want to make the Bundesliga exciting for everyone,” commented Michael Zorc’s successor on the TV channel Bild defiantly.
But the pride of the successful start to the season with two victories over Leverkusen (1-0) and Freiburg (3-1) was suddenly gone. In the first interview with Sky, football teacher Terzic looked for an explanation for his team’s actually inexplicable performance with a dark expression. “If you lead by two goals up to the 88th minute, you just have to win the game. The way we then score goals is brutally stupid and brutally annoying. Now we’re empty-handed.”
After goals from Julian Brandt (45th + 2) and Raphael Guerreiro (77th), the happy ending and the lead in the table seemed within reach. The flattering leadership made up for the fact that many playful wishes were again left unfulfilled.
Lee Buchanan’s follow-up goal (89th) was still an acceptable blemish. But after more goals from Niklas Schmidt (90′ + 3′) and Oliver Burke (90′ + 5′) the chanting of the BVB fans turned into a catcall. “After the 1:2 the tremors started,” Terzic described his team’s slump. In view of the courageous performance of the Bremen team, who were better in the long run and showed more passion and wit, the Dortmund coach refrained from whitewashing: “We’re talking about a deserved defeat here.”
It fits into the picture of a used afternoon that newcomer Anthony Modeste also fell far short of his potential and failed to score on his home debut in the black and yellow jersey. Kehl defended the former Cologne player against criticism: “It will take a little time. He knows where the goal is. He didn’t just prove that last season.” The sports director reacted annoyed to the speculation about negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo, which was fueled again after Modeste’s weak performance, especially on the boulevard: “Cristiano Ronaldo will not switch to Borussia Dortmund. We have not dealt with it.”
Debate on Sunday morning
A lot will depend on how the team reacts to the drop-out against Bremen. Coach Terzic asked his pros for an initial discussion on Sunday morning. Kehl set the tone: “We’ll try to find reasons, but we’ll also look ahead. Everyone has greater aspirations and is challenged now.”