In November 2017, BVB and FC Schalke 04 fought what was probably the most spectacular Revierderby in Bundesliga history. In Dortmund, the Knappen actually managed to equalize after being 4-0 down at half-time. Leon Goretzka has now remembered the game and revealed exciting details from the dressing room.
FC Schalke 04 trailed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 at halftime. In the first section, the Royal Blues, who were still coached by Domenico Tedesco at the time, had almost no chance. But after the break the guests were completely different. Leon Goretzka is certain: The change was initiated by the current Belgium coach’s dressing room speech.
“We subsequently received his half-time speech on a USB stick, which is still under my television. That was one of the best speeches I’ve ever experienced to date,” reported the FC Bayern midfielder in the “Copa TS” podcast.
FC Schalke 04: BVB derby “the foundation for the successful season”
“What I remember is that he knelt down at the beginning. That had a bit of the effect of ‘I’m down here with you, we’re in this together,'” the national player continued and added : “Then it went along the lines that we all have enough money and can buy anything, but we can’t buy memories – that we can create something special.”
Thanks to goals from Guido Burgstaller, Amine Harit, Daniel Caligiuri and finally Naldo, FC Schalke 04 actually managed the much celebrated equaliser. “We all really bought his word that he believed that something could still be done. And after the game it was clear to all of us that we would follow him wherever he went. That was the foundation for the successful season that followed,” said Goretzka continues.
In the end, the Revierklub from Gelsenkirchen moved into the Champions League behind FC Bayern. The Knappen even left their rivals from Dortmund behind.