Borussia Dortmund: Terzic heralds the final sprint

Coach Edin Terzic from leaders Borussia Dortmund is relaxed about the exciting final sprint for the title.

“I don’t want to talk about becoming German champion, I want to work on it,” he said before the small district derby on Friday (8:30 p.m. / DAZN) at VfL Bochum, which was threatened with relegation: “I want people to feel that as soon as we go to the square.”

Since the 4-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, BVB has the title in their own hands, with five wins from the remaining five games the first championship since 2012 would be certain. “We’re going into the task with a good portion of self-confidence. We want to take five more steps, the most important step is the next one,” said Terzic.

He has to do without Nico Schlotterbeck, who was substituted early on due to renewed thigh problems in the 4-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. “It’s a slightly different place on the muscle, but not as dramatic as last time,” said Terzic. National team colleague Niklas Süle will return to central defense for Schlotterbeck. Central defender Soumaila Coulibaly (knee twisted) is also missing in Bochum.

In a long-distance duel, BVB could distance record champions Bayern Munich by up to four points for at least two nights with their first away win in the Bundesliga since February. On Sunday (3.30 p.m. / DAZN), the Munich team will welcome Hertha BSC at the bottom.

Despite the last four defeats from five games at Castroper Straße, Terzic warned of Bochum’s strength at home. “The last few games have all been hard-fought, the atmosphere is heated. Opposing fans are very energetic,” he said.