Captain Marco Reus was the first player from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund to react to the title trauma of Westphalia with some time lag. “I was totally lost and broken at first,” wrote the 33-year-old on Instagram.
He justified the fact that, unlike some teammates, he did not go to the consternated waiting fans in the south stand, he was emotionally overwhelmed.
In the finale of the season, Dortmund gambled away the championship that was within reach by beating FSV Mainz 05 2-2. Defending champion Bayern Munich overtook BVB in the final spurt with a simultaneous 2-1 win at 1. FC Köln. Dortmund is still waiting for its first championship since 2012.
In contrast to teammates and especially coach Edin Terzic, Reus did not mourn the extreme disappointment after the final whistle together with the fans in front of the south stand. The day after, the native of Dortmund caused additional irritation when, after a last team meeting, he drove past waiting BVB supporters without saying a word.
BVB captain thanks for “positive reactions”
It was “currently difficult for him,” the offensive player wrote on Monday evening, “to put my thoughts, feelings and emotions into words”. At the same time, Reus emphasized that “positive reactions” from BVB supporters “have made it clear what is worth fighting for”. That’s why it’s “very important to say thank you”. Reus openly admitted the deep frustration and horror after the lost final: “Yes, it hurts, yes, we haven’t been that close for a long time.”
Like BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke, sports director Sebastian Kehl and Terzic, the former Mönchengladbacher also announced a renewed attempt at the title for the coming season: “We will get up again, keep working and fighting.”