BVB coach Terzic: Haller’s form crisis “cannot be explained rationally”

Will Füllkrug start at BVB?

The form crisis of striker Sébastien Haller (29) is also a mystery to Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. “We know his story. And we know that sometimes it is not easy or rational to explain what happens after such an illness,” said Terzic on Friday.

After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2022, Haller made an impressive comeback in the second half of the season and was directly involved in 14 goals in 22 appearances. Now the 31 million euro purchase from Ajax Amsterdam has not played a goal in five competitive games. After always being in the starting line-up in the first four Bundesliga games, Terzic indicated that the striker would probably not be in the first eleven against VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky).

“We saw what value he has for the team. But we also know that we will be measured by winning games,” said the coach. “And if we then have so many good alternatives, we will be able to give everyone the chance they deserve.” This could speak for a starting eleven debut for national striker Niclas Füllkrug (30), who played in the first three competitive games was always substituted on during his late move from Werder Bremen.

Part of Haller’s crisis can also be attributed to the team’s generally disappointing performances so far, explained Terzic. “We couldn’t find him the way we and he imagined. He didn’t miss a bunch of chances, and we didn’t put him in dangerous situations.” But Haller is “extremely hard-working in training and off the pitch and deals with his situation very professionally.” Another glimmer of hope: Haller experienced a dry spell of five Bundesliga games without a goal from the 20th to the 24th matchday of 2022/23 before the knot broke with a brace.

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