Borussia Dortmund has the next game-changing games ahead of it in the DFB Cup against VfB Stuttgart and in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig. Former national player Mario Basler warns BVB.
It could be a “difficult week” for the black and yellow, said the 54-year-old in his podcast “Basler ballert”. According to the 1996 European champions, the game against Leipzig is “more important” for BVB than the cup duel with the strong VfB. Borussia “must not let it slide” in the league.
In the event of a defeat against RB, “the train has gone all the way to the top,” said Basler. “Then the fight for the Champions League places begins. You have to say that loud and clear.”
The ex-professional sees the Saxons, who have already been eliminated from the cup, at an advantage because of the longer regeneration time. He expects an “intense game,” said Basler. “I’m curious.”
BVB veteran Mats Hummels is facing a “tough week,” according to today’s TV expert. Leipzig’s Lois Openda and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy are “brutally fast strikers,” explained Basler. “Whether you still need that at 34 years old is difficult.”
BVB: Big praise for Mats Hummels
Basler admitted that Hummels had recently delivered despite his advanced footballing age. He credited the 2014 world champion with an “outstanding performance” in the top game at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (1-1). Basler added: “Keep it up Mats, then I won’t criticize you anymore.”
But he didn’t see BVB as a whole as strong against the still unbeaten Werkself. “Leverkusen were clearly the better team,” said the 262-time Bundesliga player. According to Basler, BVB “shouldn’t have complained” about Bayer winning 5-2.
Dortmund are still ten points behind league leaders Leverkusen. FC Bayern, who have the catch-up game against Union Berlin in hand, are already seven points ahead of BVB.