Sebastién Haller was beaming, but he wasn’t entirely satisfied. He didn’t like the final phase of the game, which was largely a gala performance by Borussia Dortmund. “That’s the point we need to improve. The attitude has to improve there,” said the center forward after the 5-2 (4-0) win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
According to Haller, this is something that worries him. Above all because this black and yellow phenomenon did not occur for the first time on Saturday.
Haller probably wouldn’t have addressed this drop in concentration and sharpness otherwise – after this impressive offensive performance again: After the 4-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg a week earlier, Gladbach were also really screwed up in the first half.
Dortmund’s Donyell Malen (center) celebrates with Karim Adeyemi (left) and Sebastién Haller in the game against Mönchengladbach
Source: AFP/INA FASSBENDER
It was top-quality, high-speed football played with determination. BVB has already scored 53 goals in 2023 – more than any other team in Europe. “This year you can see that we are the best team in Germany,” said Haller.
The only dilemma is: The currently strongest team in the Bundesliga is not at the top – and would not become German champions even with two more wins if Bayern did not stumble again. Dortmund have themselves to blame for that and it could be a big tragedy at the end of a season in which a lot would have been possible for BVB.
Missed a lead several times
But what happened in the final phase of the Gladbach game – and this time it didn’t matter in terms of the result – happened to Dortmund too often. On Saturday, BVB let an opponent who had already been defeated get a taste of it again and allowed him two goals.
It was no longer enough for the Gladbachers – in contrast to the Bremen team. After a 2-0 lead, they lost 2-3 against them. Or against Schalke, who only played 2-2 despite leading twice. Or against the Stuttgart team, on whom the Dortmund side had literally imposed a point despite a 2-0 and 3-2 lead. In the end it was 3:3 there.
In the end, the 1-1 draw in Bochum three weeks ago could also be decisive, when BVB didn’t get a penalty that they should have gotten. But it is mainly their own fault if there is nothing to celebrate on the last day of the game. Either way, it would be a major annoyance.
Of course it shouldn’t be said like that. Not now. “We’re not done yet. We still have two tasks ahead of us,” said coach Edin Terzic.
Next Sunday, BVB has to play at FC Augsburg, who still haven’t secured their place in the league. On the last day of the game, FSV Mainz 05 will come, possibly still with chances for the Conference or even Europa League. Munich have to deal with RB Leipzig and then away with 1. FC Köln.
BVB coach Edin Terzic is dependent on a blunder from FC Bayern in the championship fight
Source: dpa/David Indian song
With regard to the coming weekend, when the competitor will play a day ahead of Dortmund, Terzic sticks to his line: just don’t get distracted anymore. “We can’t influence Bayern’s game. When the game kicks off, we’ll be on the training ground and then we’ll drive to Augsburg. We can put pressure on from outside, but not by complaining about the schedule.” The Dortmunders don’t like that they have to step up their game for the third time in a row.
Before the decisive weeks, they try to suppress the problems at BVB that cost them the better starting position. Terzic works with positive reinforcements.
“Sent a message”
“Even if there’s a lot to complain about in the second half, you shouldn’t forget that we played well at home,” said the coach: “I think we sent a message today. That we’re still here, that we’re still chasing, and that we’re willing to do it all until the end. Bayern have to step on the gas, we will step on the gas.”
Terzic also pointed out that BVB has the most joker goals, which speaks for quality across the board. And above all that he is now able to implement his offensive concept better and better with fast attacks after only a few ball contacts.
This is mainly due to Haller, who has improved physically and gained security. The 28-year-old scored twice against Gladbach, benefiting again from the fact that Karim Adeyemi (21) and Donyell Malen (24), the two wingers, are also getting closer and closer to their top form.
Adeyemi scored twice against Wolfsburg and Haller scored one. Malen, who had also scored against Wolfsburg, initiated two goals for Haller against Gladbach. In addition, the Dutchman had scored the opening goal – after a pass from Haller.
It is quite a remarkable development that has taken place: The team, which was left behind in sixth place and nine points behind the top, is currently playing the best football in the Bundesliga – offensively and technically.
“It’s a bonus for me to play here,” said Haller, who was only able to play again in January because of his cancer. It gives him great pleasure, especially when BVB “appear very dominantly,” as they did in the first sixty minutes against Gladbach.
Perhaps, says Haller, “we played like a master there.” Nostalgia was also evident in this statement. Because no matter how good Dortmund will be in the last two Bundesliga games – they no longer have it in their own hands.
