Borussia Dortmund cannot afford a listless Erling Haaland in the long run – but there is a risk of a stuck game. Hoffenheim’s squad shows its impressive depth, Bielefeld is German champion and a linnet shines at Frankfurt’s Buffalo Herd 2.0.
BVB and the dangerous Haaland situation
The 2: 3 in Berlin was finally a game to forget and will keep BVB busy for a few more days. The squabbling around Erling Haaland threatens to last much longer. Even before the game at Hertha, sports director Michael Zorc had to explain himself and find a few soothing words about Haaland’s lap of honor in the previous game against Fürth.
Not only because that could be interpreted as a farewell. But because some of the players seem to be displeased with the way Haaland stages himself in such moments. “That looked weird,” admitted Zorc.
The appearance of the goalscorer against Hertha was downright irritating. For the first time in his time at BVB, Haaland appeared listless and listless. As captivating as Haaland can be with his style for teammates and fans, the opposite can quickly turn into the opposite.
Especially since everyone should have noticed the trappings of the last few weeks and how Haaland’s advisor Mino Raiola is fueling the rumors about a change of his protégé every day. It is striking how much everyone else has to say about Haaland, Raiola, Zorc, coach Marco Rose, managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke – Haaland himself persistently remains silent. BVB is threatened with a tightrope in dealing with its most important player.
Hoffenheim’s substitutions are a declaration of war on any opponent
Sebastian Hoeneß only changed three times in the draw against Gladbach, seasoned players like Sebastian Rudy or Diadie Samassekou braised completely on the bench. Hoeneß decided in favor of Ilhas Bebou, Christoph Baumgartner and Kevin Akpoguma – two clearly different players and ultimately the later goal scorer.
What has recently become more and more apparent, which culminated in Leverkusen with the two substitute goals, is solidifying more and more: Hoffenheim not only has 33 players and thus the second-largest in the league in its squad, but also an incredible density of performance and thus a lot of options for trainer Hoeneß.
While other clubs still have to tighten their belts in the pandemic, TSG remains an extremely lush squad and the advantage of being able to take full advantage of the five changes that have now been made.
It is not for nothing that Kraichgauer substitutions are always a declaration of war on the opponent: Hoffenheim has now scored more than a third of its 35 goals of the season in the final quarter of an hour. And 16 different goal scorers and thus by far most of the league are no coincidence.
