After Borussia Dortmund failed to take a big step towards direct qualification for the round of 16 with a 2-2 draw against underdog Bodö/Glimt in the league phase of the Champions League, BVB defender Nico Schlotterbeck gave vent to his displeasure – and also criticized his teammates. Schlotterbeck subsequently received a lot of encouragement and support in official statements, but things are said to be simmering internally.
After the 2-2 draw against Bödo/Glimt, BVB couldn’t get beyond a draw against SC Freiburg (1-1) in the Bundesliga. A circumstance that, according to “Bild”, has once again fueled discussions in the dressing room.
Schlotterbeck’s criticism is also said to have been in focus. The 26-year-old accused his teammates of lacking a “winner mentality” and, above all, accused the substitutes of not pushing themselves to the limit and losing every ball after they were taken on.
Internally there is supposed to be a “crunch” at BVB
Words that, according to “Bild”, “reverberated within the team” – especially since Schlotterbeck is said to have renewed them “internally” after the points were shared against Freiburg. The fact that the vice-captain is said to have refrained from naming specific names is said to have angered striker Serhou Guirassy.
The currently struggling goalscorer is said to have confronted Schlotterbeck about addressing criticism more directly, regardless of whether it was internal or public.
Video: Kovac: “Schlotterbeck has the right to…”
Even though coach Niko Kovac, captain Emre Can and keeper Gregor Kobel emphasized to the outside world that Schlotterbeck’s words had not caused any problems, that as a leader he had the right to denounce grievances and that the matter had been clarified, according to the report, the situation was somewhat different “internally”.
There is a “crunch” behind the scenes, according to the newspaper.