Bundesliga
“Goosebumps” in the title thriller: BVB wants to present in the derby
Jude Bellingham meets Bochum with BVB. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
Suddenly BVB is no longer the hunter, but the hunted in the championship race. Five games separate the Terzic team from the big coup with the bowl. There’s good news from the captain ahead of the Bochum game.
With bright eyes and a clear speech, Edin Terzic swore his stars to the final sprint in the title thriller – the contract extension of captain Marco Reus should act as an additional boost.
“We are looking forward to the fact that it’s all about the sausage now,” said Borussia Dortmund coach Terzic. “We’re looking forward to an intense game. And that we can show that we’re ready to take the final steps and celebrate together at the end.” With huge euphoria in the back and an almost Bayern-like confidence in their own strength, BVB wants to present the most exciting Bundesliga title fight in what feels like an eternity. As an extra motivation in the long-distance duel against weakening Bayern, Dortmund announced on Thursday the extension of Reus’ contract, who is particularly keen to win the first bowl.
Table leader BVB with self-confidence
A win in the Ruhr area derby at VfL Bochum this Friday (8:30 p.m. / DAZN) would put even more pressure on the stumbling FC Bayern. BVB could at least temporarily fall to four points. Everyone at Borussia knows that the double winner from back then has a better chance of winning their first championship in eleven years than they have in a long time. Dortmund is suddenly no longer the hunter, but the hunted. “We go into the duel with a good portion of self-confidence,” said Terzic.
The championship trophy, a huge party in the stadium and in Dortmund city center – all of this is still a long way off in this tight season before the 30th matchday, but it is already very present in the minds of the players. “I’ll be honest: just thinking about the championship title gives me goosebumps,” said young star Youssoufa Moukoko on Sky. “Every day I just hear: Who will be German champions? BVB Borussia!” The fan chant has been the big hit in Dortmund since taking the lead last Saturday.
An electrifying atmosphere has spread around BVB, reminiscent of the title years under Jürgen Klopp. As the first since the master coach of 2011 and 2012, Terzic has what it takes to become a cult coach at Borussia. The 40-year-old lives BVB, performs confidently and has sharpened his profile not least through the strong moderation of difficult phases this season. The team follows him. The team also puts up with setbacks such as the 3:3 in the majority in Stuttgart. The players are self-critical.
Title would mean the world to Bellingham
Super talent and midfield motor Jude Bellingham spoke honestly of arrogance in relation to the carelessly awarded victory in the 3: 3 in Stuttgart on the 28th matchday. But the game also had something good: “I think we needed a game like this,” said Bellingham.
Just in time for the final phase of the season, the 19-year-old has found his strength again after a dip in form. In the 4-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, he shone as a goalscorer and playmaker. “It would mean everything to be honest, it would mean the world to me,” Bellingham said.
It would not only be the first German championship for the Englishman, but also for the long-time BVB captain Reus. The 33-year-old extended his expiring contract by one year. “There is still nothing better for me than scoring goals in front of the best fans in the world and in the most beautiful stadium in the world and celebrating victories together,” said Reus.
In addition to the current table situation, the remaining program after the Bochum game with games against Wolfsburg, Mönchengladbach, Augsburg and Mainz also speaks for Dortmund. BVB, who are strong at home, have played in their football temple in Dortmund three times in the last four match days. Only the Augsburg game is away.
Bavaria with an unusual vortex
In addition, FC Bayern has lost its sovereignty of the past champion years – not only on the pitch. Coach changes, debates about player performance and discussions about sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and CEO Oliver Kahn cause a lot of excitement for the record champions and tie up capacities. The pithy statements made about the competition in the past do not sound as convincing this year as they did in the past.
The confident ones this year are Dortmund. “We are Borussia Dortmund. We say every year that we want to play for the title,” said Terzic and made it clear what is important: “I don’t want to talk about becoming German champion every time. I want to work on it. I I want us to show that.” He and his team have the next chance to do so in Bochum.