DFB Cup
Amazing trend reversal: BVB discovers missing virtues
Dortmund’s Emre Can (o) celebrates his goal to 0:1. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
More passion, more team spirit, more staying power. In the new year, BVB convinces with long-missed virtues. This fuels the belief in a successful season.
Less magic, more heart – at Borussia Dortmund the tiresome discussion about the lack of mentality has fallen silent for the time being. Symbolic of the new team spirit, all football professionals stood arm in arm in front of the fan stands after the final whistle and let themselves be celebrated for the hard-fought 2:1 (1:0) in the round of 16 of the cup at VfL Bochum.
Unlike at the end of the first phase of the season, when BVB, which had slipped to sixth place in the Bundesliga, already seemed to be behind, the belief in a successful season is back. “We got going at the right time,” commented Sebastian Kehl. The Dortmund sports director added combatively: “We are still in all competitions, we can be counted on.”
The frustration of looking at the table during the long winter break has turned into positive energy. Favored by the return of numerous previously ailing professionals, BVB has since placed more value on fighting than on art. This paradigm shift paid off in the victories over Augsburg (4:3), Mainz (2:1), Leverkusen (2:0) and in Bochum. Only in the 5-1 win over Freiburg did the team play big at times.
“Victory with a lot of heart and fight”
“Super, outstanding. It wasn’t always the case that we didn’t accept the fight before. But now we’re doing it with the consistency that we need,” enthused goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. “You can see we’re on the field as a team. It wasn’t a magic victory, but a victory with a lot of heart and struggle.”
Unlike in the past, even disruptive factors such as a passionately fighting opponent, a heated atmosphere, a bumpy pitch and a questionable penalty decision by the referee are currently not throwing BVB off course. “We fought against all odds today and accepted the fight,” said coach Edin Terzic, hoping that his team would win in the upcoming Bundesliga game on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky) at Werder Bremen and next Wednesday in the Champions League – Round of 16 against Chelsea (9 p.m.) recalls similar virtues.
A handball by BVB young professional Jamie Bynoe-Gittens on the edge of his own penalty area caused the greatest excitement of the game. Referee Tobias Stieler watched the video recordings for minutes, finally decided against BVB and thus enabled Bochum’s Kevin Stöger (64th) to equalize. The arm of the Dortmund attacker, who was shot from a few meters away, was not “very tight” on the body, “but slightly angled,” explained Stieler. However, the referee admitted that video referee Tobias Welz had “stomach ache with the decision”. “Of course it’s very clear: This is not the mother of all hand penalties,” said Stieler, and expressed understanding “if someone has a different view of this scene”.
Curious hit
A worth seeing move by Borussia, which substitute captain Marco Reus (70th) used to make it 2-1 after a pass by Jude Bellingham, paved the way to victory. Emre Can made it 1-0 for the guests with a curious goal from 50.3 meters measured by ZDF, in which Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann, who rushed too far out of his goal, did not cut a good figure.
Despite all the joy at his dream goal, the midfielder, who was born to Turkish parents in Frankfurt am Main, had his thoughts elsewhere shortly after the final whistle. After scoring, he kissed the black ribbon worn by all professionals to commemorate the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. “It wasn’t easy for me today,” said Can. “I’ve heard a lot from friends whose families are affected. I’m praying that the situation improves.”