As of: March 12, 2024, 2:14 p.m
Comments
Press
Split
Dortmund's coach Edin Terzic takes part in the press conference.
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
First against Eindhoven in the Champions League, then against five top teams from the Bundesliga.
There are crucial weeks ahead for BVB.
They should also decide on the future of the coach.
Dortmund - National player Niclas Füllkrug has a “good feeling”, sports director Sebastian Kehl has a “firm belief” and striker Donyell Malen has the vision of a “big Champions League night”.
Just in time for the weeks of truth, Borussia Dortmund is feeling a tailwind.
Everyone involved sees the two most recent Bundesliga away wins in Berlin (2:0) and Bremen (2:1) as a good omen for the second leg of the round of 16 against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN) and the following fantastic Bundesliga program five opponents from the top 6 within six weeks.
“We have a good starting position and we have worked for it.
Our season is far from over,” said BVB coach Edin Terzić combatively.
The first entry into the Champions League quarter-finals since 2021 could provide a further boost and bring additional income of at least 10.6 million euros into the club's coffers.
“It's a final,” said sports director Kehl, commenting on the starting position before the new duel with the Dutch, who are still unbeaten in the domestic league and led by former BVB coach Peter Bosz.
Three weeks after the 1-1 draw in the first leg, a narrow win is enough for the Bundesliga fourth-placed team to reach the quarter-finals.
“Especially at home, I see us absolutely capable of beating the strong Eindhoven team.
Our team has put itself in a position to win games like this in the last few games.
That’s why I firmly believe in it,” said Kehl, referring to the rising form curve.
Former PSV professional Malen sounded just as euphoric as the sports director: “It’s going to be a big Champions League night.
We have the whole stadium behind us." When asked if there was a favorite, the Dutch international answered without hesitation: "Sure, we're playing at home."
Coach Terzić is not yet wasting any thought on the following tricky Bundesliga duels with Frankfurt (March 17th), Munich (March 30th), Stuttgart (April 6th), Leverkusen (April 21st) and Leipzig (April 27th).
After all, the showdown with Eindhoven is also a key game for him.
If Borussia follows FC Bayern as the second German team into the round of the best eight European teams, criticism of its work should fall silent for the time being.
“We are going into the game with a good feeling, there is a great chance and we want to show that we are ready: We want to get to the last eight,” said the football teacher.
In addition to the team's recent appearances in Berlin and Bremen, the decreasing personnel concerns are also encouraging.
With the exception of striker Sébastien Haller and the suspended central defender Nico Schlotterbeck, all professionals are available to Terzić for the first time this season.
“It’s nice to see that the squad is getting fuller and fuller.
This will help us in this important phase.
We now need every single one,” said Kehl.
Schlotterbeck will be replaced by Mats Hummels, although he was recently only on the bench in the Bundesliga.
But even with the best players, Borussia will have a difficult time against Eindhoven.
Coach Bosz, who had to leave BVB in December 2017 after only half a year, has formed a strong counterattacking team that leads the Eredivisie with a large point advantage and an impressive goal difference of 80:13.
Regardless of the questionable penalty decision that gave the Dutch the equalizer to make it 1-1, they already posed problems for BVB in the first leg.
This strengthens PSV's belief in reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2007.
Before returning to his old place of work, Bosz said he had no desire for revenge, despite only being in office for six months.
“I don’t want to look back with resentment,” the 60-year-old told Kicker.
dpa