Even Barça coach Hansi Flick could hardly imagine not to see Borussia Dortmund on the Champions League stage for a long time. At least 17 months without magical nights like the 3: 1 (1-0) against the FC Barcelona, which was still undefeated until then, the previous year’s finalist BVB are now facing. The sporty, crashed area giant is too fitting this season.
In the quarter -finals of the premier class alone, the achievements of the former national number two behind FC Bayern could not have been more opposite. After the disastrous 0: 4 in the first leg, BVB actually sniffed miracles in the second leg on Tuesday evening and played Barça on the wall most of the time. «Dortmund made a really good game in front of the great backdrop. Today they showed what they are capable of, »praised Flick, who for the first time lost a game against BVB as head coach.
As is so often the case in this and last season, the Westphalia in the Champions League swung a glossy performance that they show too rarely in the Bundesliga. Therefore, the team of coach Niko Kovac crashed into midfield this season. Just because the competition is too inconsistent, the Bundesliga dot still has a chance of international business five game days before the end of the season. However, the minimum goal of renewed Champions League qualification is difficult at six points behind in fourth place.
Performance against Barça should be benchmark for the final sprint
Of course, those responsible sold the performance against Barcelona as a encourager. «If we play BVB soccer with this intensity and this way, then we will win many games. That has to be the goal, »said sports director Sebastian Kehl and took the team into account:« Now we have the full focus on the Bundesliga. We just discussed that after playing with the team. »
On Easter Sunday, BVB has to deliver Borussia Mönchengladbach again against the direct and still placed in front of Dortmund. «We want to be international again next year. And for that we have to win the game against Gladbach on Sunday, »Kehl said.
Niklas Süle – In the absence of the battered Emre Can and the seriously injured Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense suddenly important – even believes that it can prevent the first season without Champions League for ten years. «We still have five difficult games. If we all win them, the likelihood of playing Champions League next season is also great. That must be the goal, »said Süle at Amazon Prime.
Süle puts his finger in the wound
However, the 29-year-old, who is one of the sales candidates in summer, also spoke uncomfortable: «It is always the question of why not in the Bundesliga? We have to show the same performance on Sunday. »
Only rarely did this. It has only been better since Kovac has played the team with a certain imbalance with a more stable defensive system and a chain of three. Why is that? “I can’t judge that,” said Süle. “Some people have been asking themselves here for a few years.”
Only it was never as bad as this season, which screams after a personnel upheaval. The only problem is that without the money printing machine Champions League would have to be generated first. It has been speculated for weeks that players like Süle, who have been going to have been weak in shape for months, should go to Julian Brandt or Marcel Sabitzer. Only these players still have valid and lush contracts.
How does the necessary change succeed?
There should hardly be many wealthy clubs that access the corresponding salaries even after the disappointing season. In Youssoufa Moukoko and Sébastien Haller, top-paid loan players also return, which are also supposed to clear squad places. If sports director Kehl does not find any surprising solutions here, service providers would have to bring in money. In the case of problem cases, BVB may remain seated, which makes it difficult to play the national top in the next season.
