Revolt of the fans against club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, loss of points in the Bundesliga against VfB Stuttgart and previously against HSV: Turbulent days lie behind Borussia Dortmund. Now the much-needed sense of achievement should come in the Champions League against FC Villareal on Tuesday (9 p.m.).
A few weeks ago there was great confidence among the Black and Yellows, who were on the way to their old strength. There was a long series of successes in the Bundesliga, as well as successful appearances in the Champions League. Stable things seemed to develop under coach Niko Kovac.
But after three competitive games in a row without a win and a total of eight goals conceded, the doubts have returned. Before the fifth preliminary round game in the premier class against FC Villarreal, Kovac now has a lot to do to ensure that the turbulent environment does not rub off on his team. “For us that means winning the game at home tomorrow”demanded Kovac on Monday.
Beier will probably be out
“Of course the mood is not so good when you lose once and draw twice”said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel after the most recent setbacks: 1:4 in the Champions League at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, only 1:1 at newly promoted Hamburger SV and in the end the turbulent 3:3 against VfB Stuttgart.
Maximilian Beier reacted to this even more nervously than Kobel. “It sucks: you score the goal in the 90th and then concede the equalizer in the 90th. The mood is at the bottom right now.”said the national striker, who will probably miss the game against Villarreal due to muscular problems.
Kovac wants to change a few things
“I don’t know how old Maxi is: 21, 22, 23. At the beginning of the season he said we want to be champions. Now we’re down. You don’t have to believe everything the boy says.”replied Kovac when he was asked about Beier’s – who is 23 years old, by the way – words. “We are certainly not at the bottom”emphasized the coach, but also knew: “We have to change a few things.”
Conceding eight goals in three games is too much for BVB, and the last-minute goals against HSV and Stuttgart are also worrying. The fact that Dortmund can no longer confidently maintain narrow leads over time is cause for concern.
Villareal – strong in La Liga
Preferably against Villarreal. The Spaniards have only gotten one point from four games in the premier class and lost, among others, to FC Pafos from Cyprus. In the Primera División, however, the team from near Valencia is currently the third strongest force behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
“We have a good chance of putting ourselves in a great position with the home fans. That’s an opportunity that we want to use 100 percent.”said Kobel.
Leverkusen is waiting in the Bundesliga
This would also be good for self-confidence. Because on Saturday evening Dortmund will have to face the resurgent former champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, who have already moved past them in the table.
“We are at the top and we want to stay at the top at the end of the season“, said Kovac, as if he and his team were at the top of the table. In the worst case scenario, the fourth-placed team could even fall out of the European Cup places at the weekend – at the latest then Kovac would have to moderate the crisis.