At the end of the year, Borussia Dortmund meets Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga. The opponent who cost the currently struggling BVB the championship.
Almost everything indicated about seven months ago that 2023 would be a very special year for Borussia Dortmund in a positive sense. Instead, on Tuesday (December 19, 2023), BVB will actually end a year that will not be forgotten any time soon – but the memories will then be of a negative nature.
The fact that this is the case is largely due to Mainz 05. On the last matchday of last season, the Rheinhessen defied the then Bundesliga table leaders to a 2-2 draw and thus made it possible for FC Bayern Munich, who were also playing at 1. FC Köln won the eleventh championship title in a row. But it was only the months afterwards that showed how lasting this setback was for BVB. Accordingly, the circle of crisis could close on Tuesday in the Bundesliga when Dortmund and Mainz meet again.
BVB coach Terzic under fire
Because Borussia impressed in the Champions League and are in a group with Paris St GermainAC Milan and Newcastle United We came first, but the results in the Bundesliga are very sobering. In fifth place, BVB is already 13 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, nine points behind FC Bayern (still has a catch-up game) and five points behind the Champions League places. Coach Edin Terzic’s team has only won one of the last seven league games.
Accordingly, it is part of the nature of the Bundesliga that much of the criticism focuses on the 41-year-old. Terzic has had to deal with questions about his future for a few weeks now. Last weekend, when his team couldn’t get past a 1-1 draw at FC Augsburg, there were also rumors that Erik ten Hag (Manchester United) could inherit him.
“This is something I can’t stop. I cannot control what questions you ask me or what you think about me. What I can influence is how I deal with it. I’m someone who likes to get ahead. I like to be someone who takes responsibility. I also like to be someone who fights” said Terzic at “Sky“. And the coach himself also knows how much it would help him and the entire club to at least make amends to some extent against Mainz on Tuesday.
from left Edin Terzic and Marco Reus
Work, hard work and courage – Terzic swears by basic virtues
At the press conference, Terzic emphasized that the game in May “no role at all in the preparation“play it be”a new season and we have new goals. In order to get closer to them, you have to get the three points.” Terzic continued: “We have to win again as quickly as possible. We will achieve our goals, but that will only be possible with a lot of work, hard work and courage.”
Terzic is encouraged by what he says is the strong support he receives at the club despite public criticism. “I can only confirm that I feel the support everywhere. It was also felt in Augsburg that we were all trying with all our might to overturn the trestle. When it gets restless outside, you have to stay with yourself, that’s the art. And that’s what we do.“
Last game for Siewert as Mainz coach?
But the situation is not only problematic in Dortmund. After Jan Siewert celebrated a 2-0 win against RB Leipzig on his debut as interim coach, there were five no wins. The crux of the matter: The offense is currently the most harmless in the league; Mainz has only scored one goal in the last five games and has been goalless in three games. “With all the chances we had, it’s absurd that we didn’t score“said Siewert.
Mainz took a step forward in terms of play under the 41-year-old, but it didn’t pay off. After Bo Svensson’s resignation, Siewert was unable to turn things around and the game in Dortmund could be his last for the time being. Because in the long term, those responsible have not yet decided on the coaching question.
But the interim coach is looking forward to the game – also because of the game at the end of last season. “BVB has proven many times this season that they have a chance there. And this game also showed that something is possible in Dortmund. The players have this feeling in their backpacks“said Siewert.