“Great moment” – In the 74th minute, Terzic surprisingly replaced Haller
Back in the game after a difficult time: Sebastien Haller (left) talks to coach Edin Terzic
Source: dpa/David Indian song
The result of BVB’s test match against Fortuna Düsseldorf became a minor matter. Because Sébastien Haller returns to the field after two cancer operations and makes his debut for BVB. Then he reacts emotionally.
Sébastien Haller has made a surprisingly quick comeback just a few months after his second cancer operation. The striker, who was diagnosed with a testicular tumor last summer, came on as a substitute in the 74th minute of Borussia Dortmund’s 5-1 (2-1) win against Fortuna Düsseldorf in Marbella. Dortmund’s record purchase, committed by Ajax Amsterdam at the beginning of the season for 31.5 million euros, made his debut in the black and yellow jersey on Tuesday.
“It was a great moment for me. I felt a lot of support. I tried not to give the coach any alternatives and worked hard for this moment,” Haller commented on his brief assignment, clearly moved. Edin Terzic reacted no less emotionally: “For the first time he wasn’t wearing a training shirt, but the jersey of Borussia Dortmund. We are proud that we were able to be there and experience it today. It’s a great story.” The BVB trainer longs for further progress: “We hope that he will not show any negative reaction, that we can build on that and increase the workload in the next few days.”
This increases hopes that Haller will also be in the squad for the first competitive game of the sixth Bundesliga team on November 22nd at home against FC Augsburg. “Yes, everything is possible. In my mind, there are no limits. I will do my best to be there on January 22,” Haller said on Monday.
The 28-year-old attacker said of the past few weeks and months: “Behind me is a time when I didn’t know what condition I could be in when. I could only hope that with the club I could return the trust he had placed in me.”
With great ambition on the way back
In November, the Ivorian international, who was scheduled to replace Torgarant Erling Haaland (Manchester City), had to undergo a second operation. Even before the official start of BVB training a week ago, he was working in the weight room with great ambition to build up his form. The good values in the performance diagnostics paved the way back to the team.
In view of Haller’s comeback, the result of the game faded into the background. Felix Passlack (5th minute), Karim Adeyemi (32nd), Nico Schlotterbeck and Donyell Malen (86th/88th) ensured Dortmund’s deserved victory. Fortuna equalized through Dawid Kownacki (7./foulelfmeter) to make it 1:1 in the meantime.
On January 13, BVB will play a second friendly against FC Basel. A day later, the Terzic team starts the return journey from the training camp in Andalusia to Germany.
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