BVB, News and Rumors – Manuel Akanji on Qatar: “Talking to each other can be a crucial key”

BVB central defender Manuel Akanji has outlined his personal view of the World Cup gymnast in Qatar. Dortmund’s boss Hans-Joachim Watzke waived a declaration of war in the direction of FC Bayern. Also: Ex-player Leonardo Balerdi does not consider the yellow wall to be equivalent to the support in Argentina or Marseille. You can find all the news and rumors about BVB here.

You can find more BVB news and rumors here.

BVB, News: Akanji talks about Qatar

With Switzerland, Manuel Akanji surprisingly prevailed against European champions Italy in the World Cup qualification and thus qualified directly for the tournament in Qatar. In an interview with the kicker the Dortmund central defender is now talking about his personal opinion on hosting the World Cup in the much-criticized desert state.

“You know that in the past I have often positioned myself very clearly on socially relevant issues. As a privileged person, I try to help where I can, I like to get involved,” said Akanji, who admitted that he was still dealing with the topic not having dealt with it in full intensity.

However, the 26-year-old thinks little of a publicly discussed boycott. “Basically, however, I believe that conditions in a country have seldom changed because they refused to engage in a discussion or a dialogue with the local people,” said Akanji. “Talking to one another can be a crucial key to changing things.”

The central defender was satisfied with his personal development at BVB and can also imagine staying with the black and yellow team for a longer period of time. “At the moment I’m actually concentrating fully on the team and trying to do my best. And then we’ll see what the future holds,” said Akanji.

Manuel Akanji: performance data 21/22

BVB, News: Watzke refrains from declaring war

Despite the recent attacks by FC Bayern and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, BVB boss Joachim Watzke refrained from responding to Munich at the Dortmund general meeting. “It’s not the time to make big announcements,” said Watzke. Rather, you have to see that “we keep the pandemic under control. This is a huge challenge for our club.”

Coach Marco Rose’s team reduced the deficit to the German record champions to one point by beating VfB Stuttgart 2-1 on Saturday. “In terms of results, we are right on schedule in the Bundesliga,” said Watzke. On December 4th, Dortmund expect FC Bayern to play a top game.

How many viewers will then be admitted is still open due to the corona pandemic. Watzke promoted a well-filled stadium. “In the soccer field we have an open-air event. I am of the opinion that we should not be taken into collective liability just because there is less vaccination in other regions. We have done our homework well in North Rhine-Westphalia,” said the 62 year olds.

BVB, News – Balerdi: “Yellow wall not comparable to Marseille”

The ex-Dortmund Leonardo Balerdi has been under contract with Olympique Marseilles since last summer. In an interview with football transfers.com he looks back on his time at BVB and compares the respective fan support.

“The atmosphere is incredible. There are 83,000 spectators at every game,” said Balerdi, praising Dortmund’s supporters. At his youth club Boca Juniors or his current employer Marseille, the mood is even better. “You can’t compare it to the support in Argentina or Marseille,” he said: “But it’s definitely a nice stadium with an audience that sings a lot and supports the team.”

In general, he feels more comfortable in Marseille than before in Dortmund. “In Germany it was very different than here, especially when it comes to the mentality. Here it comes very close to the Argentine mentality – in football and in the way of life. I love the city. There are very beautiful places here and the climate is also good good, but that’s known anyway, “said Balerdi.

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