Dennis Grote: The Prussian Veteran Looking Towards Success Despite Penalty Shootout Misfortune

Only seconds after coming on as a substitute, Dennis Grote (37/89.) had the winning goal on his feet, but his powerful left-foot shot from 18 meters was narrowly missed by Arminia keeper Leo Oppermann (22). Just like later in the penalty shootout when he missed the last chance from the spot. This sealed the semi-final exit of his eagle bearers in the association cup on the Bielefelder Alm (4:5)…

Also interesting

Advertisement

Also interesting

Advertisement

Prussian veteran Grote: “Pokal-Ko won’t knock us down!”

“Of course it really bothered me that I didn’t score from the spot,” admits Münster’s midfield veteran openly, “but I’ve gotten over it now and have put our first competitive defeat of the year behind us. Like my teammates too. Our focus is clearly on the future!”

And the top game weeks begin for Prussia on Easter Saturday. As the pursuers of the top third division trio, they first face the current second-placed Dynamo Dresden (2 p.m.), a week later the third-placed Jahn Regensburg comes to Hammer Straße (6.4./2 p.m.). Before we go to the fellow promoted team in Ulm on April 13th, who surprisingly greets us from Platz an der Sonne. Grote assures: “Our chests are now broad enough to confidently start these difficult tasks.

Dennis Grote (l.) also received consolation after the final whistle from Arminia’s cult snapper Fabian Klos (r.), who also came away empty-handed in his last derby against the Prussians

Foto: Max Ellerbrake / firo Sportphoto

It is hardly surprising that Grote is not (yet) leading the way. After all, he missed the entire first half of the season due to a torn cruciate ligament, but fought his way back into the squad with a lot of ambition and hard work in just six months – despite his advanced professional age. The former U21 European champion said: “I can’t expect to be back in the starting line-up straight away. Especially since my team colleagues are doing really well too. We’re still unbeaten in the second series.” And further: “I’d much rather they win and I just relieve the pressure every now and then. Than constantly having to go in because things are going badly.”

Head coach Sascha Hildmann (51) brought him to Bielefeld late because Grote is considered a reliable penalty taker. Actually. But like captain Marc Lorenz (35) before, he also gambled away. Also chose the middle of the box and slammed the ball directly into the goalkeeper’s fists. Grote shrugged: “I really didn’t expect him to just stop a second time. But speculated that Oppermann would jump into a corner.” He didn’t – bad luck…

At press conference, Vinicius Jr. bursts into tears

Those: AP25.03.2024

In his long career, which began 19 years ago at VfL Bochum, it was only the second time that he missed a penalty shootout. After 2014, when he and MSV Duisburg were ultimately eliminated 1:4 in the 2nd round of the DFB Cup against 1. FC Köln.

As of now, it is still unclear how and whether things will continue for Grote in Münster after this season. His working paper ends on June 30th. There have already been initial discussions with sports director Peter Niemeyer (40). Grote: “We roughly discussed how and what we could imagine. And now we have to continue to see whether this can somehow be reconciled.”

It is also clear to him that extending the contract over a longer period of time can no longer be an issue. More likely just for another season or in a different role. For example in scouting or at the management level. The coaching area, however, is less desirable for Grote: “I don’t really see that as my future.”

But first of all, the present (still) counts for him. And the defensive midfield specialist naturally wants to be as successful as possible with his Prussians. If you look at the upcoming big games, the opponents are certainly under greater pressure. Dynamo has been discussing coach Markusbeginn (49) for weeks because the hoped-for and desired return to the second division has been badly shaken.

After recovering from a torn cruciate ligament, Prussia veteran Dennis Grote is now in top shape again

Foto: Max Ellerbrake / firo Sportphoto

The crisis is also worsening in Regensburg. At the beginning of February, SSV Jahn was a whopping eleven points ahead of third place in the table after an away win in Duisburg. Within six games, the Upper Palatinate team have now completely lost this lead and have slipped to third place. The Prussians as hungry hunters. Even if the expectations in and around Münster have certainly increased somewhat after eleven unbeaten games in a row.

The Adlerträger, who as third division newcomers were able to secure relegation and thus their season goal early on, actually have nothing to lose. On the contrary. You can only win so much…

2024-03-25 20:05:04
#Prussia #veteran #Grote #PokalKo #doesnt #knock #Sports