Terzic warns BVB professionals about Hoffenheim: “It’s about sharpening the senses”

No failures

Dortmund coach Edin Terzic goes into the cup game on Wednesday (6 p.m.) against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim with respect. Referring to the recent track record of the guests, who were the only Bundesliga team to start the season with five away wins, the 41-year-old warned his professionals against negligence: “We know how difficult the task is. We know Hoffenheim’s counterattack strength. It’s about sharpening the senses.”

Despite the top game just three days later at the same venue against FC Bayern, the full concentration is on the duel with the sixth-place team. “The general conditions do not allow us to think about anything other than the game in the DFB Cup,” said Terzic. The coach did not rule out changing the starting eleven for the game in the Signal Iduna Park, which was sold out with over 80,000 spectators, given the ongoing rush for dates: “That is something to consider. We have to think about the freshness factor.”

Similar to Hoffenheim, BVB is also on the rise. The fourth-place team in the Bundesliga seems difficult to defeat at the moment and has been unbeaten in all competitions for 25 home games. This series began on September 2, 2022 – with a 1-0 win against Hoffenheim. “We know that there would probably have been easier draws for Hoffenheim than going to Dortmund. We want to do justice to that tomorrow,” commented Terzic.

According to his own statement, he currently has no reason to complain about personnel shortages: “As of now, no one is definitely out.” Mats Hummels and Gregor Kobel, who were substituted in the 3-3 draw in Frankfurt on Sunday, also signaled their willingness to play. Contrary to what was feared, goalkeeper Kobel didn’t break his nose, just bruised it. Top scorer Julian Brandt, who only came on in the 65th minute in Frankfurt, is likely to be a candidate for the starting eleven again.

The last knockout so far for the five-time cup winners from Dortmund in the second round came on October 27, 2010 after a defeat at Offenbacher Kickers on penalties. Terzic hopes that his team will do justice to the special character of the competition: “There is a slogan in Germany: ‘The winner stays’. It’s a normal football game like every week. But there is no draw, there is a decision. That’s why we will invest everything.”

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