The frustration factor at Borussia Dortmund was particularly high after a used week. BVB captain Marco Reus took his system criticism out of the air and caused a stir. For the ex-Dortmund Jürgen Kohler, the anger is understandable. However, it also holds players accountable.
“The system question is totally overrated for me, because at the end of the day the players make the difference. On the day Leipzig was simply more galling and toxic. The players have to question themselves and not the system. That is the decisive factor,” said Kohler in conversation with SPOX and goal.
In today’s football there are flowing transitions between the different basic orders, Kohler added: “It happens so quickly, the players just have to be able to do that too. The system question is always an alibi protection claim for me. I can’t do much with that.”
BVB captain Reus saw the reasons for the 2-1 defeat at RB Leipzig mainly in the tactical direction. “The first half could be completely forgotten. We switched to a back four in the second half. That suits us much better because we’re much more active there than in the five-man chain. In addition, in the five-man chain we have one less man in the center who is with We can’t cope with that, you have to be very clear, “emphasized Reus Sky.
For Kohler, “a few emotions also played a role” in the words immediately after the final whistle. The 56-year-old said: “That is understandable. Leipzig declared the game a milestone, the truth is: There were three points for this game and Leipzig is still behind Borussia Dortmund.”
BVB unrest: “Not an easy situation” with Rose and Terzic
Nevertheless, there has been unrest at BVB since Reus’ words, especially since the national player’s criticism was also aimed at coach Marco Rose. The head coach tried to appease: “It’s not a question of the system. The discussion is unnecessary.”
According to sports director Michael Zorc, the conflict has now been resolved. “Both spoke to each other,” said Zorc at Sport1. “Everything is fine.”
But the situation is tricky. Because in the first bumpy phase of the season, the name Edin Terzic suddenly falls again, who was celebrated for winning the cup with BVB last year and vacated his place for Rose in the summer. Terzic continues to work for the club as technical director. the Southgerman newspaper described him as “a shadow man” who “could take over again at any time”.
“This subliminal, whether you want it or not, is always there latently. They cannot discuss it away,” said Kohler SPOX and goal. “That is also no excuse for me. They are professionals and they have to deal with the situation.” Nevertheless, the “not an easy situation” with Terzic, Kohler added: “Whether he wants it or not, he is still there on site. Sometimes a few strange thoughts haunt through the pear.”
BVB: Without Haaland, “an essential part of the game is missing”
Despite the recent setbacks in the league and in the Champions League with the defeats against Ajax Amsterdam, Kohler sees BVB, with whom he won the Champions League in 1997 and was twice champion, still on target. even if you have now lost against Leipzig, “said the world champion from 1990 and saw the reasons for the current slack in the absence of striker Erling Haaland. “The offensive power has been lost in the last few games. Haaland didn’t play there, he is the difference player for Dortmund. The fact is: If Haaland is missing, then a significant part of the game is missing.”
In addition to Haaland, Dortmund had to do without eight other players in Leipzig, especially in the defense, the personnel shortage was noticeable. For example, offensive player Thorgan Hazard had to help out as a left-back in the three-man or five-man chain. In addition, Mats Hummels has been struggling with stubborn patellar tendon problems since the EM in the summer.
“Due to the corona phase, it was not easy in terms of fitness training and athletics,” said Kohler in relation to Dortmund’s injury concerns. “They constantly had to improvise. That was a bit of a problem, but other clubs have the same problem, so I wouldn’t take that as an excuse.”
