Borussia Dortmund responded impressively to FC Bayern’s thrashing victory. Only one piece of advice can be given to coach Edin Terzic after this performance. The complete opposite applies to the disastrous Gladbach in the first half. Three insights into the game.
With the 5:2 win against the Foals, BVB stays on the heels of the record champions from Munich. With two games to go, the rivals are separated by just one point.
While Bayern have a much more difficult task with RB Leipzig on the coming matchday, Dortmund has to go to FC Augsburg. There is actually no need to fear a slip after the game against Gladbach if it hadn’t been for the second half.
BVB: Edin Terzic shouldn’t change anything about his starting XI
A picture of Edin Terzic during the first half suggests that the BVB coach had tears in his eyes with joy because his players were just dismantling Gladbach into its individual parts.
“We showed today that we will believe in it to the end and that we will chase everything until the end. We still have two games. After that we will see what it was enough for. Bayern have to step on the gas, we will step on the gas.” said a satisfied Terzic after the game.
Accordingly, there is little to no reason why Terzic should change his formation for the last two games. But that would also mean that Nico Schlotterbeck, for example, would have to stew on the bench despite his recovery in the final title race.
BVB: No place for Nico Schlotterbeck
In Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle, BVB seems to have found the right symbiosis of defensive behavior and experience for this phase. Especially since after Hummels was substituted in the 59th minute, the defensive against the long-beaten foals was suddenly much more vulnerable. Two goals followed and Lars Stindl’s great chance to make it 3:4 shortly before the end.
In general, it was noticeable that BVB lost their calm with the substitutions. This is also due to the gentle pace in the second part of the game, but actually Terzic’s changes did exactly what they shouldn’t: more work and effort.
“I always have something to complain about, even if we didn’t concede the two goals we conceded today. (…) Even if there’s a lot to complain about in the second half, you shouldn’t forget that we played a good game at home today We find the right mix of praise when everyone hits us and criticism when everyone praises us,” explained Terzic.
BVB: Marco Reus has lost nothing on the offensive at the moment
Only about Raphaël Guerreiro can currently argue. But since there is no room in midfield and he occasionally shows considerable weaknesses in the back left, the Portuguese will probably have to be content with the role of reserve in the season finale.
Unless Terzic doesn’t want to do without the offensive qualities – he prepared the 5: 2 – and Guerreiro’s fine foot against Augsburg and Mainz. Especially since Ryerson is limited technically and in the game.
Captain Marco Reus will also probably not be on the pitch for 90 minutes – and that’s right. The 33-year-old simply hasn’t lost anything in BVB’s offensive at the moment. He has no serious arguments for either the outside or the headquarters.
The interaction of Julian Brandt, Jude Bellingham and the three high-flyers up front just works too well…
BVB: Master attacking trio and Jude Bellingham
Deep passes, nice combinations, great dribbling, penalties and the heel: BVB’s offensive managed everything in the first 45 minutes. The fact that a few gears were shifted down after the change of sides only makes sense with a view to the remaining two games.
At second glance, it wasn’t really surprising what Donyell Malen, Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller did with the – admittedly disastrous – Gladbach back line. The offensive trio has been in impressive form for weeks.
Haller in particular, who is also largely responsible for the consistently good performances of Adeyemi and Malen, had a great day. It was perhaps his best game in a BVB jersey since his testicular cancer.
Sébastien Haller in top form: “I enjoy every day”
“It’s because of the mentality, because for me it’s a bonus to be here,” said the overjoyed Haller sky: “I enjoy every day on the pitch, with the guys in the dressing room and try to get to know everyone better to play well together on the pitch. It feels good to be at the top of the table. We need the fun and the Happy together. In 2023 we will be the best team in Germany. It has to stay that way.”
Before the break, each of his passes found a teammate, plus the template when the can opened 1-0 and to top it off, he also hit the goal seven meters away without even seeing it. His second coup was thanks to a no-frills direct acceptance.
The scoring was almost as nice when Malen and Julian Brandt took on the half foal defense on the right and combined almost magically.
Donyell Paint soon titular hero? BVB striker with the best in the league
Speaking of Malen: With his goal and two assists, the Dutchman now has an impressive 13 points in the second half of the season – that’s the best in the league. In addition, the former problem child has scored in each of the past six games at Signal Iduna Park. So why not on the last matchday against Mainz 05?
Adeyemi also performed well, although this time he wasn’t the big match winner. Gladbach’s defense also had their hands full because of the national player.
Jude Bellingham was not an attacker in terms of position, but was still important for the offensive. With his arrival, he pulled the Gladbach midfield apart several times, with the second most degrees and the cold dog snout at the penalty kick.
Such an offensive can win titles. Who knows when the opportunity will open up again so quickly.
Gladbach: non-performance at the expense of Daniel Farke
It was the understandable reaction to Gladbach’s non-performance: “We’re fed up,” Gladbach’s fans chanted after 32 minutes and demonstratively turned their backs on the team. The second half at least made for a small reconciliation after the final whistle.
Of course, it’s not easy for the players when there’s nothing at stake with three games to go. But to let yourself be shot down in such a way that many people already had the word in double digits on their lips borders on cheek.
The statistics of two players were significant. Striker Nathan Ngoumou had a measly five touches in the first 45 minutes. His only passport did not arrive. Goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky had at least ten more, although he missed the ball four times.
Evil tongues would claim that Gladbach only exists to annoy Bayern. While they often deprive Munich of points, the foals are regularly “slaughtered” in Dortmund, as Jonas Hofmann aptly put it after the game. The frightening away record of the last nine Bundesliga games: Nine defeats with a goal difference of 4:32.
Daniel Farke is apparently threatened with the end
In his role as sky-Expert spoke to Gladbach fan Lothar Matthäus afterwards of a “total failure” and demanded that “tacheles” should now be talked about. Coach Daniel Farke did that shortly after kick-off.
“We were indisciplined and didn’t stick to the match plan at all. With the four goals conceded in the first 30 minutes, you can’t survive against Dortmund. Because of the first half, we lost quite deservedly,” said Farke, whose future corresponded to media reports is now fully open.
The result was “not a flaming appeal” for his person, said Farke: “We are disappointed and in the same boat. We do not agree with such a bad half-time.” Sports director Roland Virkus then refused an interview request. At least Farke was backed by his players.
It may have been Farke’s last appearance shortly before the end of the season, whose contract actually runs until 2025. U23 coach Eugen Polanski is being traded as a temporary interim solution.
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