The BVB and the fatal pile of attraction

Borussia Dortmund has risen the first leg in the Champions League quarter-finals against FC Barcelona 0: 4, and with the greatest probability, the crashing defeat means that in this competition. In Dortmund, before the game, they probably had the secret hope of protecting the chances of the semi -finals with a decent appearance against Hansi Flick’s team. Perhaps a narrow defeat or a hard -fought draw – then everything would have been in the second leg in Dortmund. After all, the shape curve had shown up slightly upwards with two wins in a row in the Bundesliga.

But the appearance in the old Olympic Stadium of Barcelona does not allow wild dreams. The opponent was at least one number too big. It is surprising enough that the Dortmunders made it into the quarter -finals with their fluctuating performance. At the international level, BVB has arrived mediocre after reaching the final last year.

The problem is that the team of Niko Kovac threatens the same descent in the Bundesliga. It is currently in eighth place in the table, the gap to Mainz and fourth place is five points. Creating qualification for the premier class next season will be difficult. In addition, it would need a winning streak, which requires performance and the will to save the season. It is possible, and in principle the team has the quality.

After the performance on Wednesday evening, the doubts remain great. Once again, many Dortmund professionals played far below their possibilities on the lawn. Only captain Emre Can and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel reached normal form, the rest fell off. False passes, lack of defensive work and weak duel behavior – so you cannot beat or keep up with a European top team that is also really good in shape or at all.

When troubleshooting the trainer and the changeover to a chain of four, is aimed at the problem. “It has nothing to do with it. It is not a system question. It is the question of whether everyone is ready to go to the pain threshold,” analyzed captain Emre Can at the final whistle.

The team remains a moody bunch that no coach can rely on and who continues his downward trend. Edin Terzic cost this pile of Attitue the job, even though he made it to the final of the Champions League. In the Bundesliga, Dortmund under Terzic had only narrowly qualified for the premier class. Nuri Sahin only lasted for seven months, the coaching novice was overwhelmed with the difficult team from the start. In the Bundesliga, he crashed to eleventh place.

In Dortmund you now have to be careful that the crisis does not become a permanent condition. That can work quickly. Missed Champions League qualifications let the income shrink, which affects the quality of the squad. BVB would not be the first club to make itself small.