Bundesliga
Faltering runner-up: BVB under pressure early on
BVB coach Edin Terzic is under pressure after the false start to the new season. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
There are no whistles at BVB for a long time. But after the 2-2 draw against Heidenheim, the fans’ patience has run out. Edin Terzic longs for a turnaround. Otherwise there is a risk of trouble – including for the coach.
Few points, hardly any goal threat and an early coaching discussion – at Borussia Dortmund is already in a tense mood before the fourth matchday of the new season.
In view of the poor results from the rather easy opening program with games against Cologne (1:0), Bochum (1:1) and Heidenheim (2:2), the faltering runner-up is threatened with an early major setback in the title fight.
Nevertheless, coach Edin Terzic believes the growing criticism in the area is exaggerated. “We are of course dissatisfied with the start of the season. However, our last defeat was on April 1st in Munich. But it feels as if our last win was on April 1st,” complained the football teacher in front of the Bundesliga team. Game on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky) at SC Freiburg.
Departure of key performers
The predictions of various skeptics that the championship lost in the last league showdown could have a negative impact for a long time seem to be confirmed. Borussia, which started the season as the best team of 2023, is currently still looking for form. She only recorded five points on three matchdays – as few as 14 years ago.
Departures of important key players such as Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Raphael Guerreiro (Munich) have not yet been compensated for. The new signings Ramy Bensebaini (Mönchengladbach), Marcel Sabitzer (Munich) and Felix Nmecha (Wolfsburg) have not yet found a real connection. There is great hope that striker Niclas Füllkrug (Bremen), who was hired late, will revive the harmless attacking game after only one short appearance so far.
Terzic in particular felt how short-lived high reputation can be in professional football. The 40-year-old, who was celebrated as a successful coach shortly before the end of a fantastic second half of the season, recently found himself at the center of criticism. That happened too quickly even for an experienced veteran like former BVB player Torsten Frings. “In May, Terzic was still standing in front of the south stand and a few minutes were missing from the German championship. To say after three games that the coach is wobbling is an exaggeration for me,” he commented on the pay TV channel Sky.
Pressure on BVB coach
Just over a month ago, club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke expressed his confidence in the Dortmund football teacher in an interview with “Sport Bild” in clear words: “We’ll be going the same way with Edin Terzic for the next few years. Period, out. After so long “In this business, I think I can judge who is a top coach. And Edin is a coach with exceptional skills.” Nevertheless, defeats in the next two tricky away games at SC Freiburg and three days later in the Champions League at Paris Saint-Germain are likely to increase the pressure on Terzic.
The coach is in good spirits that his team in Freiburg is showing a similarly positive reaction to the previously struggling DFB team in the surprising 2-1 win over runner-up world champions France on Tuesday in Dortmund: “It was clear to see that a team on the who was ready for anything to win the game.”
In order to dispel the uncertainty in his team, Terzic recalled the 3-1 win last season: “It’s not easy for the away team in Freiburg, they have only conceded ten goals in the last 17 home games. The last team that managed to score more than one goal there, we were.” He added combatively: “We know how difficult the task is, but we know what we’re capable of. We’re looking forward to showing everyone that on Saturday.”