Dortmund (dpa) – Borussia Dortmund’s superstar Erling Haaland had also thoroughly lost his joy in his team.
Even when Raphael Guerreiro (82nd) scored a late goal to make it 2: 4 (0: 2) in the first intermediate round duel of the Europa League with Glasgow Rangers, the injured grandstand guest did not show any emotion. BVB’s recent playful oath of disclosure not only spoiled the mood of the goalscorer. “We play a lot of nonsensical football and make our opponents unnecessarily strong. That’s how you win and sometimes lose, but you’ll never be successful like that,” complained Mats Hummels.
Desolate BVB defense
The times when BVB was one of the top addresses on the continent are over. After the early knockout in the Champions League, an embarrassing bankruptcy is now also threatening in the Europa League. Even against the internationally less renowned Scots, Dortmund offered a desolate performance, especially on the defensive, and revealed how big the gap between claim and reality is now.
In a first TV interview with the streaming service RTL+, Hummels made no secret of his frustration: “The big headline for us is serious, success-oriented football. If you look at the Leverkusen game: we conceded four goals after losing the ball. Today it was three goals like that,” said the 2014 world champion, referring to the no less sobering 5-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen just eleven days earlier. “For me, that’s a more than clear topic, which is our problem. The coach often addresses it, we don’t implement it in many positions,” said Hummels.
BVB coach at a loss
Marco Rose seemed just as clueless as the defense chief. “I think I can still reach the boys. I see nodding heads in training and in conversations,” commented the BVB boss, but sees himself as partly to blame: “Our topic is always implementation. I’m also responsible for that .”
After goals from James Tavernier (38th/penalty), Alfredo Morelos (41st) and John Lundstram (49th) as well as the own goal by central defender Dan-Axel Zagadou (54th), there are prospects of a happy ending in Glasgow in a week’s time only slightly. Nevertheless, Rose refused to surrender early: “The situation is difficult now, two goals in Ibrox Park in front of 50,000 spectators, that will be a difficult task. But we will try to seize the opportunity.”
Nightly BVB session
The BVB club management obviously sees a great need to speak after the defeat against the Rangers. According to information from Sky, managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke, sports director Michael Zorc, license player boss Sebastian Kehl and coach Rose are said to have discussed the situation late in the evening
Rose announced a more consistent approach to his professionals. “Accordingly, I may have to become even clearer and clearer and demand it in the long term. There is no other solution. We have to keep working. That all sounds like perseverance, but it’s simple. We just have to implement it,” said the coach.