In 2023, Sébastien Haller is a sought-after man at Borussia Dortmund. After surviving testicular cancer, the BVB striker is on the way back to his old strength and has been used in all eleven competitive games in the current calendar year. Now the top scorer faces his first district derby against FC Schalke 04.
Before the guest game with the unloved neighbor from Gelsenkirchen on Saturday evening (from 6:30 p.m.), Haller made it clear in the “Sky” interview that he knew about the special importance of the game for the clubs and the entire football region: “Derbies never work about the table. It’s all about this game and this rivalry. You can be first and last but this game will be very different. It’s not about the table position, it’s about the will and who wants to win the more game.”
The fact that his head coach Edin Terzic ordered him to take a break in the Bundesliga game at the Royal Blues and ordered him to the substitute bench is not an option for the 28-year-old. Haller made it clear with a smile on his face: “It’s not possible, I wouldn’t accept that. The coach gave me a few breaks in January, that’s fine. But not in the derby. You want to play there, score a goal and win.”
Haller has scored once for BVB so far
Overall, the Ivorian has only one goal in his eleven appearances for BVB. This is far from reaching his outstanding goal rates, especially from his time at Ajax Amsterdam between 2021 and 2022.
Haller emphasized to the TV station that he wanted to continue working patiently and diligently on himself and his top form: “I’m getting better and better. I get a lot of help from the team, from the employees, from everyone. It feels great to be to feel better every day. But that’s just a small step to reach my full potential.”