The title announcement was followed by actions. After Nico Schlotterbeck had named the championship in the Bundesliga as a goal for Borussia Dortmund, the national player saw his push confirmed after the lucky 2-1 win against relegation-threatened VfL Wolfsburg.
“You play at BVB to win certain things,” said the 26-year-old on the TV channel Sky. He was captain because Emre Can was missing due to injury. “When I say: We want to move forward, we want to attack those up there, then I give the route. Then the boys have to follow suit, and that’s what they did today.” A stroke of genius by Felix Nmecha, Fabio Silva and Dortmund’s all-time goalscorer Serhou Guirassy (87th) brought victory shortly before the end.
Schlotterbeck, the leader
A week earlier, Schlotterbeck had made no secret of his ambitions after the equally lucky 3-2 win against bottom-placed 1. FC Heidenheim. “As BVB you have to have the ambition to tell the fans that we want to become champions,” he said.
Words that did not fail to have their effect – believes the defense attorney. “During the week the boys noticed how passionate I was about it,” he said in Wolfsburg. “It is extremely important that we have the focus and the head to attack. Of course I hope that it helped to some extent.”
Brandt is more reserved
There were no reservations about his bold move at BVB. “I like Schlotti for his statements. And I also know what he’s like, and that’s totally authentic,” said Julian Brandt. The goalscorer for the 1-0 win in Wolfsburg and a native of Bremen was more reserved. “I’m from the north, I’m a little more humble. That’s my nature,” said the 29-year-old.
So far, no one has said that “we have given up on any point, but we continue to try to win our games and of course hope that Bayern will let us try again,” said Brandt.
Dortmund is currently Bayern’s number one hunter
One thing is clear: After 21 match days, Dortmund are the German record champions’ closest pursuers. The win in Wolfsburg was the fifth in the sixth Bundesliga game of the year, adding to the 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the year.
“We are a big club that has ambitions,” said head coach Niko Kovac on ZDF. “I’m not resisting it.” First of all, we have to work and get into the Champions League. “If we still have enough games and we can still attack forward,” then you can be sure they will try.
A stroke of genius saves victory in Wolfsburg
The players know that BVB didn’t always give gala performances during their successes. Even in Wolfsburg, Dortmund were anything but convincing in the second half.
Schlotterbeck also quickly identified the decisive factor. “Mentality. What we’ve been denied for years,” he said. This mentality gave the Dortmund team and sporting director Sebastian Kehl at least a relaxed Sunday with FC Bayern’s top game against TSG Hoffenheim.
“The nice thing is when you win and then the next day you can just lie relaxed on the couch, no matter which team is playing,” he said. Especially since Dortmund were able to feel like they were the winners of the day, regardless of the outcome of the game.
BVB wants Schlotterbeck to make a contract decision soon
The question about the future of his title announcer Nico Schlotterbeck is less relaxed. Negotiations over an extension of the contract, which currently runs until 2027, are dragging on.
“I am a friend of clarity in all areas and topics,” said Kehl. Sometimes you have to be patient. “But we are on the accelerator. Nico knows that we will have a decision as quickly as possible.”
Schlotterbeck is missing against Mainz
The Dortmund team can see what it’s like to manage without Schlotterbeck next Friday (8.30 p.m./Sky) against FSV Mainz 05. Then he is missing because of his fifth yellow card. “It hurts extremely to be missing the home game,” said Schlotterbeck. “Nonetheless: keep your head up.” Ultimately, decisive weeks would come with two games in the Champions League playoffs against Atalanta Bergamo and in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig – and FC Bayern.
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WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX)
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