BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke has praised the big rival FC Bayern. At the same time, the 62-year-old could not resist a swipe in the direction of RB Leipzig.
“You have to have so much decency. Bayern are playing exceptionally well and I think it would be easier in any other league at the moment,” said Watzke on BVB-TV about the record champions. For the BVB boss, Bayern are also “top favorites” for the Champions League title: “They are currently doing well.”
At the same time, the 62-year-old teased in the direction of the stumbling table ninth RB Leipzig: “Half a year or nine months ago everyone screamed: ‘The people of Leipzig will overtake the Dortmunders as number two in German football.’ I didn’t notice much of that last year. “
From Dortmund’s point of view, Watzke has not yet written off the championship. If Bayern should stumble, “you have to be there”, demanded the BVB managing director. Bayern increased their lead at the top of the table to nine points with a 4-0 win at the first half of the season against VfL Wolfsburg, but Dortmund can follow suit in the early evening at Hertha BSC (6.30 p.m. in LIVETICKER).
“We still have three chances for the title,” emphasized Watzke. “The one in the Bundesliga is certainly the smallest. We have big plans in the Europa League and we would like to win the DFB-Pokal again.”
BVB boss Watzke: “Could have burned down more fireworks”
In general, Watzke drew a positive interim conclusion. “I agree with the Bundesliga, even if we could certainly have set off fireworks in two or three more games,” he said. Watzke added that the end of the Champions League was painful, “honestly it was also a bad performance”.
In the knockout phase of the Europa League, Dortmund are fighting against Glasgow Rangers for a place in the round of 16. In the DFB Cup, BVB has to play against second division leaders FC St. Pauli on January 18.
