It was only last Friday that Borussia Dortmund finally made the transfer of Ian Maatsen clear and confirmed the loan deal with Chelsea FC at the weekend. A day later, the left-back was already in the BVB starting line-up, which secured a smooth 3-0 away win at SV Darmstadt. Maatsen looked back happily on his first appearance in the black and yellow jersey.
“It was a good game, a good start,” Maatsen told BVB club media. According to his own statement, the Dutch U21 international did not expect to be in the starting line-up for Westphalia in Darmstadt.
During the guest appearance at the bottom of the table, he was involved over the entire distance, running up and down the left wing with great enthusiasm. For Chelsea FC, Maatsen had spent most of the current season on the substitutes’ bench.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment because I haven’t played for a long time. Playing here at my new club from the start feels really good,” said the left-footed player about his first competitive appearance for the reigning runners-up.
BVB will be visiting Cologne next Saturday
Maatsen emphasized that he didn’t have any major problems adapting in Dortmund: “When I stepped onto the pitch, I felt as if I had played here for years. I had a good feeling, was self-confident. The boys helped me a lot to be free and get to know everyone.”
In addition to his new team, the 21-year-old also thanked the usual loud Dortmund supporters who had traveled to Darmstadt: “I’ve never seen such fans as in Dortmund,” Maatsen was visibly impressed by the volume and the sheer number of BVB -Fans.
Next Saturday, the loan player will play with BVB at 1. FC Köln for the start of the second half of the season, before Dortmund’s first home game of the year against VfL Bochum on January 28th.