After just two wins from eight games (2 draws), Borussia Dortmund actually wanted to liberate the underdog Hannover 96 in the second round of the DFB Cup – but BVB didn’t manage more than an unimaginative 2-0. Not enough to end the eternal mentality debate. Offensive star Julian Brandt now took a stand.
“I believe that the basic motivation is in everyone,” explains Brandt in an interview with “Sky”. However, there would of course be “different characters” in the team and everyone shows their motivation in a different way. However, Brandt questions the fact that a motivation debate is appropriate anyway.
However, Brandt does not mince his words and reveals where he thinks BVB’s problems are currently located.
Recently, you have encountered “a lot of resistance of all kinds,” says Brandt, who specifically leads duels with teams that are extremely low, that are very aggressive or, like Manchester City, attack incredibly well. “Constantly resisting for more than 90 minutes. I think that’s an extreme issue for us at the moment.”
BVB star does not expect a “giant leap”
In addition, you have to work on finally bringing the “football qualities” back onto the pitch and “letting the spark fly back to the fans”. These points are “two really big pillars that we really have to watch out for,” said the German international.
Despite this knowledge, a “giant leap” is not to be expected, “but step by step we have to succeed again”.
Brandt also sees room for improvement in himself, but he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself either. He has developed well overall, but “as I said, there are certainly a few more screws that can be adjusted further. But everything with time,” explains the 26-year-old.
After all: Brandt can ultimately also gain something good from the victory against Hanover, which was garnished with many phases of weakness: “But the nice thing is, and I know that because I’ve been able to play in the DFB Cup for a few years, that the fans and the environment after a few days no longer interested in how, but that you won.”