Edin Terzic surprised in Leverkusen with an unexpected line-up. Above all, BVB, who were tidy in terms of personnel, showed themselves with a completely renewed attitude to work.
Edin Terzic smiled happily at the BayArena. The Coach of Borussia Dortmund had every reason to be at peace with himself and the world on Sunday evening in Leverkusen. His team hadn’t just won 2-0 against the Bayer tempo players, who had been showing off so well recently – BVB had finally pulled through that seriousness and consistency over the 90 minutes that the team had so often lacked in the past year.
BVB squad overflowing – stars on the bench
“Everyone did an excellent job,” said Terzic, who surprised experts, fans and possibly his players with a few personnel changes. Seasoned players like Raphael Guerrero, Mats Hummels or Donyell Malen were missing from the starting line-up, youngster Youssoufa Moukoko also spent 90 minutes on the bench and had to watch as Sebastien Haller was allowed to make his starting eleven debut and veteran Anthony Modeste later received at least a few minutes of playing time.
There was also no room for Gio Reyna and Donyell Malen, instead Karim Adeyemi was allowed to play, later the young Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Supposed Bundesliga heavyweights like Mo Dahoud and Thorgan Hazard hadn’t even found a place in the squad. Terzic built in experienced Emre Can as an additional six – the 29-year-old repeatedly dropped into the three-man defense against the nimble Leverkusen team and delivered a tactically flawless game.
Marius Wolf – an all-rounder plays in the foreground
Marius Wolf had also found a place in the starting eleven – for the first time since the game against Schalke in September. And the regular left-back, who is basically an all-rounder, knew how to convince with his enthusiasm. With a tackle rate of 88 percent, he was the most conspicuous BVB player in this discipline. He was also instrumental in preparing both BVB goals. Adeyemi’s 1-0 was preceded by a Wolf ball win in midfield, and he made it 2-0 with a sharp cross in an exemplary manner.
“Pull through” – goalkeeper Gregor Kobel
This bite, the focus and concentration on one’s own tasks – the Wolf’s virtues finally showed on Sunday evening actually all BVB players. And that over 90 minutes. “Now we have to pull this through,” said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who, as usual, was a very reliable support for his team. What the keeper said: BVB had good phases in the past with several players, but then lost focus all too quickly.
Terzic: “Are we ready?”
The three victories in the new year have brought the team back into the absolute top group of the league – but the tasks are not getting any easier. The eminently important home game against table Nachbra SC Freiburg follows next Saturday, before the next week they go to VfL Bochum in the DFB Cup. And then comes the Bundesliga match at Werder Bremen.
“We want to stay in the regions where we are now and continue to attack,” announced Terzic after the game. Without forgetting the deep dents of the past: “Doesn’t make us better than we are. We still have a few issues,” said the coach and summarily called out the rest of the season as a character test: “Now it’s about: Are we ready to take the next step? Do we do less now and have to catch up? Or do we stay in the middle by keeping our foot on the accelerator.”
