Anyone who thought that BVB veteran Marco Reus would lose sporting importance after his resignation as captain was wrong. Reus decides games – Dortmund could also use his quality in the premier class.
Swan songs for teams or individual players come in football then sometimes prematurely. Borussia Dortmund was hastily written off by some after the relatively mixed start to the championship fight in the Bundesliga. And is now level on points with Bayern Munich and still has every chance.
Marco Reus, around whom there were rumors of a move in the spring, was also considered by some to have left on a voluntary basis in July Resigned as captain Apparently it’s no longer too important as a sport at BVB. And yet the hopes before the Champions League duel with AC Milan (Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, 9 p.m.) also rest on him. BVB wants to score its first points against the Italians.
When Reus played, BVB won the league
Because Reus is currently BVB’s full-time match decision-maker. When the 34-year-old got playing time, he won Borussia Dortmund every Bundesliga game so far.
After the opening win against Cologne (1-0), Reus remained on the bench in Bochum (1-1) and against Heidenheim (2-2). Afterwards, against Freiburg (4:2), Wolfsburg (1:0) and Hoffenheim (3:1), he got playing time again and distinguished himself as the (winning) goalscorer in each case.
Anyone who thought, despite BVB coach Terzic’s statements (“We have always emphasized how important Marco is to us”) that Reus’ voluntary resignation would mean less sporting importance for the team, was wrong.
Shortening to Injury minimization works so far
Reus’ handing over of the captain’s armband is more of a conscious step down in the ranks of an aging director. In order to be able to showcase his still existing playing qualities more effectively without Reus becoming a permanent guest in the hospital again.
Because he has accumulated enough downtime in his career. Cruciate and lateral ligament injuries, muscle injuries, ankle problems – this is one of the reasons why Reus has so far remained the unfinished man in the German national jersey. He was always missing from major tournaments due to injury.
Double burden: Terzic needs a fine hand with Reus
There is a certain irony in the fact that Borussia Dortmund’s hopes in Champions League Group F, which some have declared a “group of death”, are also based on Reus’ qualities. The now 34-year-old in particular repeatedly reached his physical limits when faced with double or overload.
Against Paris Saint-Germain (0-2) after the Bundesliga home win against Freiburg just three days earlier, he was probably only used for just under half an hour. However, coach Edin Terzic in Paris also relied on a defensive wall tactic with a five-man chain and only three attack-oriented players: not exactly a Reus game.
Terzic sees “new tasks” for BVB against Milan
The second premier class group game against AC Milan, in the home stadium and therefore without travel stress, could now offer a more rewarding opportunity for Reus to work as an offensive director.
In any case, Terzic indicated at the press conference on Tuesday that he would not choose the same route as against PSG: “Milan’s approach is different. Accordingly, there will be new tasks for us.” The AC is always trying to “put the opponent in outnumbered situations in the center”.
The five-day break since Friday evening’s game against Hoffenheim could also benefit Reus – so that the veteran in the center could perhaps become a game-decider again.
