Not many people expected him, especially not in the starting line-up: Nevertheless, Nico Schlotterbeck was on the field from the start for Borussia Dortmund against TSG Hoffenheim (1-1) on Saturday evening. “An extreme risk,” as the BVB defender admitted afterwards.
Last Wednesday evening, Nico Schlotterbeck suffered an ankle injury shortly before the end of BVB’s Champions League defeat against FC Barcelona (2:3), and there were even fears of a long-term absence, but then the central defender was suddenly in the starting line-up late on Sunday afternoon Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim.
“It was an extreme risk,” admitted Schlotterbeck after the game, in which Dortmund had to accept the bitter equalizer in the final minutes (1-1), and added: “The physios didn’t necessarily give me the go, but said that there was a possibility.”
He then decided himself that he wanted to play. The BVB defender didn’t do too badly. From sport.de He received a grade of 2.5 for his overall good defensive work; the focus was on other Borussia players when they conceded a late goal.
But that wasn’t the only reason why Schlotterbeck was completely satisfied with the “DAZN” microphone after the game. BVB was “incredibly bad” against TSG Hoffenheim, said the defense chief and added: “That wasn’t enough, I’m not taking myself out of it. We’re Borussia Dortmund if we can stay on top with a home game against Hoffenheim , then we have to win.”
BVB remains below its own expectations
Instead of jumping into the European Cup ranks, Dortmund slipped to eighth place. They are already eleven points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who from Dortmund’s perspective play in a different world.
“How we performed here in a home game with no energy is inexplicable,” said Schlotterbeck angrily: “We also mentioned that during the break, and it definitely got louder. But it hasn’t gotten any better at all.”
The team lost an “incredible number of balls” in the second half, “we barely got into the opponent’s half.”
And so, of all people, former BVB professional Jacob Bruun Larsen struck in the first minute of stoppage time (90th + 1) and equalized the lead that Giovanni Reyna had achieved almost immediately after the kick-off to the second half (46th).
With a view to the annual financial statements, Schlotterbeck now wants to “address the shortcomings harshly and hold our heads high.” On Sunday, December 22nd. (5:30 p.m.), VfL Wolfsburg is waiting for BVB. Then a win is “definitely” mandatory, emphasized Schlotterbeck.