It wasn’t boundless jubilation that the Dortmund pros showed after the shaky 4-3 win over FC Augsburg on Sunday – neither in front of the south stand nor in the dressing room. Rather “a mix of self-criticism and joy at the successful start with three points”, as Edin Terzic put it about two days later.
The load on Sebastien Haller should be steadily increased.
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Despite all the anger about the many mistakes, the game gave the coach enough starting points for the days after and before the next game at FSV Mainz 05 on Wednesday (6.30 p.m., LIVE! at kicker): “We took away a lot of issues that we urgently need want to turn off.” In one-to-one meetings on Sunday, in the meeting room on Monday and on Tuesday on the pitch.
Above all, the three goals conceded, largely initiated with unnecessary ball losses themselves, will have been a point. Especially since these invitations happen too often when you’re away from home. BVB have conceded 16 goals in eight league games away from home – far too many to take more than the nine points away.
“We are aware of that, it is an issue in the coaching staff and with the team,” says Terzic about the weak record, but also refers to “one or the other successful game away” in the cup competitions. He is clear: “We have to improve if we want to improve in the table.” And given the fifth place before the last game in the first half of the season, that is the clear task, not only in Mainz.
“We will miss Bellingham”
Jude Bellingham, who saw his fifth yellow card on Sunday, cannot help. The Briton is an “extremely important player in both directions” and “we will miss him”. But replacing him is “the job of a good squad,” says Terzic. Mahmoud Dahoud or Giovanni Reyna are among the options for this.
A return from Marco Reus after his illness-related break is still open, for the starting eleven it will certainly not be enough. “He wasn’t with the team for ten days,” says Terzic, the unit on Tuesday afternoon should decide on his place in the squad. Thomas Meunier and Mateu Morey are not ready either. But all-rounder Emre Can is back in training.
The personnel situation remains good and requires hardship decisions from Terzic and his team. On Sunday it hit Niklas Süle, who lost out in central defense against Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels. “I’m very happy with the three,” emphasizes the coach and also names Can and youngster Soumaila Coulibaly as alternatives.
In the tight race, Süle spoke against the fact that his two competitors “did it a little bit better” in the preparation. But: “Niklas showed a really good reaction and had a very good training performance on Sunday. We want to see that.” It is possible that the ex-Bayer starts in Mainz.
How does Fresneda decide?
The starting eleven is also getting closer for Sebastien Haller. “We have decided to look from day to day,” Terzic recalls and finds: “It’s getting better and better. He’s feeling better and better, has found his rhythm and we hope that we can gradually increase the load.” When that will be enough for the first mission from the start, “we’ll see if it’s Wednesday, Sunday or next week”. But it is certain “that he will play an important role in Mainz”.
If possible, right-back talent Ivan Fresneda should do the same in the future. Borussia Dortmund is interested in the 18-year-old Spaniard from Real Valladolid, even though an agreement with the club was still pending on Monday evening. But the player also has some other options, especially in England. Terzic did not want to comment on the personnel.
