Champions League
Pride is back: a redemptive celebration day for BVB
The BVB players are celebrated by their fans. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund is someone again! The return to the European football nobility raises BVB’s self-esteem and makes them want more. Is the success a good encouragement for the final spurt in the Bundesliga?
At Borussia Dortmund, the pride of days gone by has returned with magical European Cup nights. The first entry into the quarter-finals The Champions League since 2021 has turned the arena into a madhouse and, at least for a short time, dispelled the frustration over the mixed season in the Bundesliga so far.
“I have never seen the stadium so loud,” enthused Niclas Füllkrug after the 2-0 (1-0) win against PSV Eindhoven. Just looking at the illustrious circle of possible opponents made the national striker want to look forward to more celebrations even before the draw on Friday. “When you see which clubs are in the quarter-finals, it’s great to be part of them.”
For minutes after the final whistle, the professionals enjoyed the ovation of the 81,365 fans in the sold-out Signal Iduna Park and danced a lap of honor on the pitch. “We are happy to finally be among the best eight teams in Europe again. This shows that this club is still there and has a presence in Europe,” commented Sebastian Kehl on the show of strength against the Dutch. To the sports director’s delight, the success not only improved the sporting reputation, but also increased the club’s coffers by at least 10.6 million euros: “That also helps us in our planning.”
Early goal and late redemption
Unlike in the domestic league, the team in the premier class once again exploited their great potential and offered the fans a spectacle, at least in the first half hour. “Everyone wanted the ball. And when we do that, we are a really great team,” said Emre Can. Like the captain, Kehl also viewed the victory as a source of encouragement for the difficult weeks ahead in the championship with five games against teams from the top 6: “The team has that in the tank. Now we have to show it and deliver in the Bundesliga too. We want to be present on this stage next year too.”
Edin Terzic’s blissful smile said more than a thousand words. Thanks to Jadon Sancho’s early goal (3rd) and the late relief from Marco Reus (90th+5), the recently criticized 41-year-old was able to breathe a sigh of relief. As the third coach after Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jürgen Klopp, who were revered as legends in Dortmund, he led BVB to the quarter-finals of the premier class for the second time. This should give him more peace of mind in the coming days. “My personal joy is very great, but that has nothing to do with satisfaction,” replied Terzic when asked about his state of mind.
However, he made no secret of his relief: “It wasn’t an easy time in the last few weeks. But we were able to show what we are capable of. The first 30 minutes were the best of this season.” Terzic is confident that the victory will serve as a signal for the tricky final stretch of the Bundesliga: “It is not a given for the club’s history to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. We will work on turning these good 30 minutes into 90 good minutes. “
Banished from Manchester, worshiped in Dortmund
Match winner Sancho could help ensure that BVB can continue to appear on the big stage next season. The returnee, who is on loan until the end of the season, seems to be well on the way to his old form. “Jadon showed his best performance today since he’s been back here,” praised Terzic. Like four days before in Bremen (2-1), the Englishman took on the role of the main actor as a goalscorer.
The risk of signing the out-of-form attacker, who has fallen out of favor at Manchester United, during the winter break is increasingly paying off for the fourth-place team in the Bundesliga. After initial problems, the dribbling artist, who was sold for 85 million euros in the summer of 2021, is developing into an asset in the often dreary offensive game. “Now he has rewarded himself with two goals. That helps him,” said Kehl. “The more he plays, the better he gets. Jadon was incredibly agile and lively today. He enriches our game.”
The joy of Sancho’s improving form was marred by his injury, which forced him to be substituted in the 75th minute. Although the 23-year-old left the pitch limping, Terzic was confident: “He felt a little something in the back of his thigh. Let’s see how that develops. We hope that he stays healthy and on track.”