Champions League quarter-finals: BVB defies setbacks in front of Barça: “That will already be”

Shocked by the latest bad news about key player Nico Schlotterbeck, but with new self-confidence Borussia Dortmund plans another coup in the longing competition. Even without the seriously injured national defender, BVB will be able to offer Hansi Flicks offensive artists in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League on Wednesday (9:00 p.m./DAZN) at FC Barcelona.

“This is a really good chance for us,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl on Tuesday afternoon before departure. “We know what to expect, but we expect opportunities. Everyone will be highly motivated.”

Of all things, now that the largest Bundesliga problem club this season seemed to be ready again for the coming festive days in the premier class and the prestige duel with FC Bayern, followed by the Schlotterbeck injury. On Monday, BVB announced the meniscus tear in the left knee at the actually indispensable central defender. After the operation it was clear: Schlotterbeck is even much longer than expected.

Schlotterbeck fails around half a year

The BVB and the national team have to do without the 25-year-old until well into autumn. “Nico was operated on on Monday evening and will be missing for several months. Around half a year, that is the current forecast,” said Kehl. “It was really a shock for us. Of course, this now has an impact on tomorrow’s game.”

The Dortmund defensive in particular should have hard work with the Spanish league leaders given the power of young star Lamine Yamal and the former BVB scorer Robert Lewandowski.

Kovac’s approaches and system changeover recently helped

Trainer Niko Kovac is really not to envy. Two months after taking office, the 53-year-old seems to have finally been able to get the permanent criticism on track with a system change and a lot of backing for the criticized players. Now he has to tinker again.

Despite the Schlotterbeck shock, the athletically crashed industry giant after the encouragers in the league feels ready for the upcoming top duels. “We look forward to the games and will fly to Barcelona with a lot of energy. And with the game in Munich, the constellation could not be more beautiful,” Kehl said after the 4-1 at the direct league competitor SC Freiburg.

Results gave up: BVB feels ready again

“This is what we all live for – of which we all dream of as little boys,” said Kovac, who recently maneuvered BVB with two important Bundesliga victories in striking distance at least the European Cup algae. It is questionable whether it will be enough again in the end to the actual minimum goal of renewed qualification for the European premier class.

In this respect, the BVB professionals want to enjoy the highlight games against Barça-and they actually expect opportunities for a coup. As offensive as the catalans are, the flick team is quite susceptible on the defensive. “I think we can definitely get something there. And at home I am convinced that we will play very well. So: it will be going to be,” said attacker Karim Adeyemi.

“We are now driving with good energy and will try to develop a good starting position. We know that we can have a lot possible in the second leg,” said Kehl. He recalled that BVB acted significantly more on the big Champions League stage this and last season than in the Bundesliga. “We have just done one or two miracles internationally.”

Dortmund relies on the Champions League strength

Even if the repetition of a final participation from last season seems a bit measured this time – the players believe in progress: “Everything can happen,” said captain Emre Can in the “Kicker” interview. “For me, it is above all a sign that we can keep up with the big teams in Europe. We have already demonstrated this last season by moving into the final. And we will show that again this season.”