BVB in the Champions League: In crisis mode to home strong Lille

Kehl strives for reparation

For Borussia Dortmund, the trip to Lille is like a trip to a final around the whole season. Only successes in the Champions League can save the playing time of the crisis -shaken district club.

In the Bundesliga, BVB sinks to mediocre, and he has long since said goodbye to the DFB Cup. And before the second leg in the round of 16 of the premier class on Wednesday, the starting point is not particularly good. In the 1-1 duel with the Losc Lille, the team of coach Niko Kovac failed to add after an interim leadership, gave the lead against a home backdrop. However, the more than sobering 0: 1 last Saturday in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg is even more worrying. So what makes courage?

“Until Wednesday, so much can happen in a person’s life and a team. That gives me hope, ”said Kovac after the bitter dress rehearsal in the Dortmund football temple. That sounds like perseverance. In fact, there has been no sustainable progress at BVB for months. On the contrary. The shape fluctuations of the expensive squad can hardly be explained. Even the peat festival in the 6-0 against 1. FC Union Berlin two and a half weeks ago did not ensure continuing self -confidence and security on the pitch.

“It’s very fragile. For me it is a huge head topic, ”said central defender and international Nico Schlotterbeck. BVB only won three of eight games under Kovac – with three defeats and two draws. For an association that actually wants to challenge Bayern Munich and Double winner Bayer Leverkusen, this is a terrifying balance. A real effect of the change of trainer can hardly be seen.

BVB defender Schlotterbeck: Missing Constance, lack of quality

Dortmund is now also leaving the Champions League, there is a risk of massive motivation problems. “The goal in the league cannot be that we bump around in tenth place,” said Schlotterbeck. His goal is not seventh to become sixth or fifth. Hardly anyone believes that the BVB still creates its fourth place and thus the renewed qualification for the Champions League. The current deficit of seven points on Eintracht Frankfurt would still be catching up with nine outstanding games. However, the problems are so deep that a series required for this does not appear realistic.

“We have no consistency in the team. Missing consistency always means lack of quality, ”said Schlotterbeck relentlessly. The 25-year-old hopes for a royal class effect. “Somehow we can pull ourselves out through the Champions League,” he said. This is not impossible against Lille. The fifth of the Ligue 1 is not a over team. Even if the northern French are still undefeated at home in this Champions League season and, among other things, defeated the defending champion Real Madrid: Under normal circumstances, the Dortmund would be clear favorite against the French.

Even the faithful fans finally whistled their own team, sometimes gently applauded with unsuccessful actions. The only remaining highlight is the Champions League for many supporters. BVB can only bring back lost loan with a victory in Lille. “On Wednesday we have a very, very important game in front of our chest, where we can make a lot of things to make up for,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl.