Bundesliga
BVB returnee Sancho celebrated: “Feels like home”
Dortmund’s goalscorer Marco Reus (r) celebrates BVB’s second goal with Jadon Sancho. photo
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
The Bundesliga has an attraction back with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. An old friend will benefit from this when he returns to Darmstadt.
“It should happen like this: I come back and see Marco again. He is a great friend of mine,” said the 23-year-old on the TV channel Sky. “I’m happy to have set up a goal for him.”
“Jadon is Jadon. We know what qualities he has,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl after the runner-up’s largely unadorned success against the unfortunate newcomer. “I think you could see today that he was really looking forward to being back on the pitch and basically enjoyed every action.”
Recently only second choice in England
Like Reus, Sancho came on in the 55th minute. 22 minutes later, the 23-year-old Englishman provided the assist, which Reus used to make it 2-0 (77th). “Since I’ve been back, it feels like home. I’m happy to be back on the pitch,” said Sancho after his comeback.
The offensive star had already played for Dortmund from 2017 to 2021 and then moved to Manchester United for 85 million euros. Recently, however, he was no longer able to play in the Premier League. “I want to be happy again, be on the pitch again and help the team,” said Sancho about his goals at BVB, which is still 15 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and eleven behind champions FC Bayern.
Dortmund with great luck
Borussia’s promised comeback might have been halted if goalkeeper Gregor Knobel hadn’t ruined Luca Pfeiffer’s huge header chance after a good hour. Julian Brandt had previously scored (24th minute). Youssoufa Moukoko (90+2) increased the score to 3-0 in added time.
It wasn’t just Sancho’s performance that glossed over some of BVB’s weak phases in the analysis in front of 17,810 spectators at the sold-out Böllenfalltor. “Before the basic performance, it was a very disjointed and chaotic game. It’s a nice result for us,” admitted Brandt.
New signing Ian Maatsen, the left-back who came from Chelsea, was even in the starting line-up – and impressed. “He was very, very calm,” said Kehl about the Dutchman. “There was no noticeable nervousness, he did very, very well. He’s fully fit and has had playing time over the last few weeks.”
Revival for BVB fans
Reus was visibly happy about the return of his friend Sancho. “He is simply a difference player who is good for a scorer in every game because he simply has the positioning to turn a disadvantage into an advantage,” said the offensive veteran. “I really enjoy playing with him and I’m very pleased that he has found his way back.”
For Sancho it was his 84th goal participation in 105 Bundesliga games (38 goals, 46 assists). And of course it felt like a revival for BVB fans: He also provided his last assist for Reus in May 2021 in Mainz.
But you shouldn’t expect miracles from Sancho, warned Reus. “He hasn’t played at all for months, no rhythm, little team training. Every minute on the pitch helps, and especially scoring points, because that gives the most self-confidence.”
Coach Edin Terzic also warned that one should not forget that the returnee is an extremely young player, “who has now experienced his first dip. Showed up at our house two days ago with a huge grin. We all know that Jadon is one of those footballers in the world who is much better when he smiles.”