After Borussia Dortmund made it into the round of 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, the return to everyday life is on the agenda for the weekend. Before the duel with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (3:30 p.m.), BVB coach Edin Terzic raised hopes that captain Marco Reus could get involved again.
“He’s been feeling better again for the last few days. He’ll be on the pitch with us today, so we’ll have to decide after training whether it’s enough for the matchday squad,” announced the trainer at the Westphalia press conference on Friday.
Reus injured his ankle in the district derby against FC Schalke 04. After a first comeback attempt at Union Berlin, two weeks ago, according to Terzic, he complained of pain again. “That’s why we’re being careful now so that it doesn’t turn out to be lengthy,” said the coach.
Meanwhile, Raphael Guerreiro, who is still suffering from muscular problems, will definitely be absent in Frankfurt. “It’s going to be tight for Tuesday as well. We’re looking at next week against Bochum,” Terzic said.
As a replacement for the Portuguese, Thorgan Hazard could become an issue again in defense, who had done this job well in the Champions League against Manchester City.
BVB meets ex-players – Terzic wants Knauff back
After the 0-0 draw against the English heavyweight, Terzic now expects another “trend-setting game” in the Main metropolis on Saturday. After qualifying for the round of 16 in the DFB Cup and the Champions League, you have to “make up a few points in the Bundesliga”. His team is “ready” for that.
A special side note for BVB will also be the reunion with the in-form ex-player Mario Götze. “I’m pleased with Mario that he managed to get back to his level,” said Terzic. Götze is “in really good shape, very sure of the ball”. He is “able to play the deadly pass or score the goal himself,” said the BVB coach, who stressed, however, that his team shouldn’t just focus on the 2014 world champion.
The meeting with Ansgar Knauff on loan is canceled due to his injury. With a view to the future of the winger after the end of the two-year loan next summer, Terzic made a clear commitment: “Next summer he will be part of our squad again.”
All statements from the BVB-PK to read:
+++ Terzic about Eintracht Frankfurt +++
“They deservedly won the Euro League. In the summer they had to give up important players, and they were able to absorb that very well. They are very dangerous on offense, even in full-back. They are always dangerous when starting up, which speaks for their self-confidence. The Whole mood around Frankfurt: It’s extraordinary. We’re going to play your game, we’re ready.”
+++ Terzic about Modeste +++
“We’re used to the teenagers scoring goals for us. Tony is different, he’s older and has different qualities. We need both. He’s fit to play. You’ll have to be patient when he’s on the pitch.”
+++ Terzic about Brandt+++
“I think Julian is having a really good season. He liked playing in the middle, but he also has good moves on the wings. Defensive behavior was also an issue between me and him. We agreed that he [die Kritik] can only stop if he shows that he can do it differently. We supported him and he accepted it. We hope he continues in the same way.”
+++ Terzic on loan player Knauff +++
“I’ve known Ansgar for a long time. He’s developed really well. He changed games for us but then didn’t get the minutes that are important for his development. Then the decision was made that he would go on loan. Next summer he’ll be part of our squad again. As technical director, I put my focus on him and always kept in touch. That’s how it is now. First he should get fit again, the rest will come in the summer.”
+++ Terzic about Götze +++
“With Mario, I’m just happy that he’s managed to get back to his level. They harmonize well up front with Lindstrom and Muani. He can score goals or play the deadly pass. We know that. But it’s about to take Eintracht Frankfurt’s entire offensive out of the game. We can only do that as a team.”
+++ Terzic on the three-day rhythm +++
“It’s part of our job. We knew that this phase would accompany us. We’re not alone in that. Our opponents also had a highlight game the day before yesterday not difficult to keep the motivation high.”
+++ Terzic on the Reus comeback against Union +++
“We looked closely at Marco. He came on very early on against Union, he also moved well. But then he signaled that there was a scene where he felt his foot. That’s why we’re careful now, with nothing becomes a tedious one.”
+++ Terzic about the staff +++
“The only one who will definitely be out is Raphael Guerreiro. He still has muscular problems, so it will be tight for Tuesday too. So we’re looking at next week against Bochum. The big question mark is Marco Reus. He’s feeling better again last few days. He’ll be on the pitch with us today, so we’ll have to decide after training whether it’s enough for the matchday squad.”
+++ Here we go +++
The BVB press conference in Dortmund will begin in these minutes. Edin Terzic is ready and waiting for the journalists’ questions.
+++ How does Terzic want to crack the SGE? +++
On the last day of the game, BVB had an easy time beating a very weak VfB Stuttgart in a 5-0 home win. Terzic and his team expect a much tougher test against Frankfurt. Eintracht recently won against Leverkusen and Gladbach in the league and improved to fourth place. The Glasner team is also hoping to advance in the Champions League. How does BVB want to stop the euphoric Hessians?
+++ Reunion with Mario Götze +++
The big side note of Saturday’s game is undoubtedly the reunion of Mario Götze and his training club. The 2014 World Champion took his first steps in professional football very successfully at BVB. After his time at FC Bayern, he returned to BVB for a second interlude. Now he is playing for the first time in the Eintracht Frankfurt jersey against his old love. What does Terzic think of the noble technician, who has played his way back into the limelight with top performances?
+++ What about Marco Reus? +++
Meanwhile, captain Marco Reus continues to worry BVB. After his brief spell at Union Berlin two weeks ago, the veteran suffered a relapse from his ankle injury. In the “Ruhr Nachrichten” it was now said that Dortmund would probably have to do without Reus in Frankfurt as well. The 33-year-old is said to have visited a specialist in Munich again for consultations.
