Football Bundesliga: BVB draws courage and warns: Hope for European closing spurt

The great euphoria at Borussia Dortmund did not break out after the victory against the Bundesliga surprise team. “We still don’t have everything in our own hands,” said defender Waldemar Anton about the starting position in the race for the European Cup places.

The 28-year-old described the 3-1 against FSV Mainz 05 as an important step forward. “Nevertheless, we are not yet where we want to be.” The Dortmunders remain reserved. Too often, the next setback followed this crisis season.

Beier shines as a Guirassy replacement

So that this does not happen in the end of the season, the seven -time international gave the reminder. Fighting spirit, willingness to run – all of this was right in the duel with the fourth in the table from Rheinhessen. “It must be clear to every single player that this is the yardstick,” said Anton. “The basics are the be -all and end -all and everything else comes on its own.”

In fact, the victory did not result from a playful brilliant performance and an offensive fireworks. Rather, the BVB worked tirelessly and rewarded it. Although in Serhou Guirassy the best goal scorer with muscular problems was at short notice, the Dortmunders were effective in attack.

Maximilian Beier had a large part. The 22 -year -old newcomer to the summer appeared for the first time as a double goal scorer for BVB. “Two goals – sensational,” said coach Niko Kovac and praised Beiers: “You can see that with Maxi.

Schlotterbeck as a “Schlotter deck”?

Not as a goal scorer, but double as a preparer, Nico Schlotterbeck shone. The central defender convinced in an unusual way: as a corner shooter. “Many, I think, were surprised and grated their eyes. But the result gives us right – especially him,” said Kovac, about the unusual measure not to the center of the head of the header, but to the center, but to the corner flag.

Is Schlotterbeck only called “Schlotter-Eck” by his teammates? With this question, striker Karim Adeyemi did not want to commit himself. “I am not Thomas Müller who plays this word games,” said the 23-year-old and smiled.

Leaders are missing in Freiburg

Not only with his newly discovered qualities, but above all as a defense chief and with great commitment to preceding leaders, Schlotterbeck is intended to help BVB in the coming weeks to save the Bundesliga season, which has so far been messed up so far.

The gap to the European Cup places is four points for the tenth tenth. The Champions League – actually the minimum goal of the district club – is seven points away.

First Dortmund has to do without Schlotterbeck. The 25-year-old is missing yellow-locked when returning to his old home Freiburg.

The BVB is facing hard weeks

“It will be annoyed. Freiburg is super important for us and of course an emotional game for him,” said Sebastian Kehl. As Anton, the BVB sports director also warned: “I am satisfied with the reaction. We still know that we will have to add more in the next few weeks.”

The opponents for this are anything but light. The game at SC Freiburg is followed by the away game at FC Bayern Munich – framed by the duels with Hans Flicks FC Barcelona in the quarter -finals of the Champions League.