Bundesliga
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1165 participants found their way to the general meeting of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. With a total of more than 159,000 members, that's less than one percent. When the professionals entered the Westfalenhalle together with coach Lucien Favre, they were greeted with whistles and boos but also applause. The sporting trend is currently not the self-proclaimed championship contender, after a 0-4 defeat at FC Bayern Munich BVB saved on Friday after a 0-3 deficit draw against bottom club SC Paderborn.
Therefore, the speech of Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke was eagerly awaited. He took the players for the upcoming games in the obligation, said Favre for the time being the confidence and also agreed to self-critical tones. "We have made a mistake," said Watzke, "we should have committed a second number nine". The missing alternative for Spaniard Paco Alcácer, who is prone to injury and also had to be substituted for Paderborn, has been a topic in Dortmund for months. Whether the BVB will commit a center forward in the winter break, left Watzke open.
The BVB boss formulated a clear mission to the team: "Pull yourself together, streamline and act as Borussia is expected," said Watzke. "As a team, you have to know that words are not enough, you are required to act."
Watzke also addressed Favre directly. "Dear Lucien, you have our confidence," he said. "But in the end, football is always about results, we all want you and the team to make a turnaround, and you have all the support we can give you." Various media have reported that Favre will definitely be in the Champions League at FC Barcelona and in the Bundesliga with Hertha BSC on the bench.
Reinhard Rauball, the 72-year-old was confirmed in his office without opposition. The office of the BVB President has held Rauball since November 2004, it was his seventh re-election. Rauball had already led the Borussia in the years 1979 to 1982 and 1984 to 1986.
