Dortmund (dpa) – Finally another holiday, finally full ranks again. For the first time in more than two years with painful corona-related restrictions, the magic of bygone days is returning to the largest Bundesliga stadium.
The prospect of 81,365 fans releases adrenaline for everyone involved even before the top game on Saturday (6.30 p.m. / Sky) between the two best teams from the second half of the Bundesliga season from Dortmund and Leipzig. “Football will be the football we know again. It’s a special moment,” enthused BVB coach Marco Rose, “our captain Marco Reus has been walking through the dressing room for days with an enchanted smile.”
The anticipation for Hans-Joachim Watzke is similar to that of the coach. “Many people have claimed otherwise, but you can tell that people still want Borussia Dortmund, even if it will take time for things to return automatically,” commented the BVB managing director in an interview with “Funke Medien” with reference to the forecasts of experts, according to which the number one German sport could have lost a lot of acceptance in times of a pandemic. “Just the thought of being able to immerse myself in a packed stadium on Saturday gives me goosebumps,” admitted Watzke.
Fan march planned
With the end of many Corona requirements, the Ultras are also giving up their previous attitude of refusal. In order to celebrate the day properly, a fan march through the city of Dortmund to the stadium and at the start of the game a choreography on the legendary south stand is planned. Newcomers like Jude Bellingham, Thomas Meunier or Donyell Malen, who have been signed since winter 2020, have never experienced such a sparkling atmosphere in the arena. “Maybe Marco Reus has to say to the guys during the game, ‘Shut up and focus on football’,” joked Rose.
The football temple, which was filled with more than 80,000 spectators for the first time in 763 days, consoles the Dortmund coach himself about the possible loss of striker Erling Haaland, who suffered an ankle injury in the international match with Norway. “The most important personnel question is the fans. We’re one more at the weekend. We want and have to use that,” said Rose. The ailing Haaland hopes for a similar effect: “We’ve longed for this for a long time. It helps us to play better and be even more focused on the game.”
However, the expected passionate support from the ranks for the home team cannot deter Domenico Tedesco. After the last nine competitive games for his team without defeat and the jump to fourth place, the Leipzig coach is confident in the duel with the twelve-point better second: “An away team can also be positively influenced by this. We’re going to Dortmund to win the duel .”
Additional effort for controls
Tedesco does not want to be deterred by the reports that BVB attacker Haaland could be out of action: “Even if Marco Rose says he is questionable for the game, we plan to use him. It’s the top game. I’m sure that he BVB will do everything to ensure that he is fit and able to play.”
It is quite possible that the Leiziger coach is right. Haaland himself was confident on Friday: “My ankle still hurts a bit. But it’s getting better. Let’s see how I feel tomorrow. I think there’s a chance I’ll play.”
The game will be a tricky task for BVB not only from a sporting point of view, but also from an organizational point of view. Because only vaccinated, recovered or tested spectators are allowed to visit, the Revierclub has to cope with a considerable amount of additional work during the controls. “Full load under 3G is a challenge. In order to shorten the control process at the entrances, we need about double the staff compared to a full stadium without 3G control,” said stadium manager Christian Hockenjos to the “Ruhr Nachrichten”. An early arrival of the fans can help to avoid long waiting times.