No heads dropping and expecting the players to perform ‘differently’ were the overriding messages from head coach Edin Terzic’s prematch press conference before Borussia Dortmund take on Borussia Monchengladback tomorrow.
The BlackYellows go to Borussia Park having to win if they have any chance of keeping alive their title hopes.
It’s only halfway through the season but already Borussia Dortmund have to win every game and hope Bayern slip up more than once after the Bavarians took a ten point lead on their ‘main’ title rivals with a one nil victory over Augsburg on Wednesday.
“We discussed the Leverkusen match in great detail and we expect the guys to perform differently tomorrow. Our body language in the first half was not ideal.”
Terzic was left seething after Borussia Dortmund lost to Leverkusen on Tuesday night succumbing to their sixth defeat of the Bundesliga season.
The head coach described Leverkusen’s winner, scored by teenage wonderkid Florian Wirtz, as “stupid and simple” from a BVB perspective and said the way Dortmund were out fought in Leverkusen is something that has been addressed.
Terzic said: “We discussed the Leverkusen match in great detail and we expect the guys to perform differently tomorrow. Our body language in the first half was not ideal. But we know from the match in Leipzig, for example, that we can do much better and it’s our goal to flip that switch again.”
Further articles:
–Borussia Dortmund Defeated At Leverkusen 2-1 Losing Further Ground On The Bundesliga Lead: Match Report
–Bayern Munich Survive Late Scare To Beat Freiburg 2-1 In Bundesliga: Match Report
Terzic’s record as interim boss since the sacking of Lucien Favre after the 5-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt was starting to pick up pace with three wins on the bounce including an impressive 3-1 victory away to RB Leipzig, however Dortmund have only picked up one point from their last two games meaning they fall to fourth in Bundesliga, sitting in the final Champions League spot only on goal difference.
Among issues that are persistantly arising for the BlackYellows is their performances in the first half.
Only 5 of Dortmund’s 33 goals this season have been scored in the first half of games (none in the last 9).
Captian Marco Reus says there are too many phases in matches where BVB seem to drop out of the contest whilst goalscorer against Leverkusen Julien Brandt admits the team cannot keep up performance for 90 minutes.
Another issue is the loss of Axel Witsel who injured his achilles tendon midway through the win against RB.
Witsel has been one of BVB’s most consistent performers this season and, with the central two starting berths changing in both of the last two games, Terzic doesn’t seem to have found a solution to covering for the missing Belgian.
Can and Bellingham were partnered in the draw against Mainz, whilst Bellingham started with Delaney in the loss to Leverkusen.
Of his central midfield dilemma Terzic said: “We have very good players in the central positions and lots of alternatives, and so far we’ve been happy with every choice for the starting XI – no matter who’s played centrally.”
Emre Can will return to the side tomorrow after missing Tuesday’s match through suspension.
Delaney will miss the match in Mönchengladbach through suspension.
BVB have no new injury concerns other than their long term absentees: Delaney (suspended), Hazard (thigh), Schmelzer (knee), Witsel (Achilles tendon), Zagadou (hamstring).
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund, Matchday 17, Bundesliga, Saturday 22nd, KO 730pm GMT.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 