Marco Reus used his emotional farewell from the home stadium to make a generous gesture. After the 4-0 (2-0) win against SV Darmstadt 98, he thanked the fans for “twelve wonderful years” with free beer for the south stand. But despite all the sentimentality, he didn’t lose sight of his last mission in the black and yellow jersey. A victory in the Champions League final at Wembley against Real Madrid on June 1st (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League, on ZDF and on DAZN) should crown his career – and free him from the reputation of not being a professional for great triumphs to be.
With his declaration of war, Reus caused the yellow wall to shake one last time: “The greed for the title is limitless. The belief that we can make history must grow in the next few days. We will subordinate everything to the game.”
Every goal against Darmstadt increased the anticipation for Wembley. The fact that Reus also contributed a goal (38th minute) with an artificial shot into the corner of the goal to make it 2-0 rounded off the emotional farewell party for the 34-year-old.
“We take a positive feeling home with us. This will accompany us for the next two weeks,” commented Sebastian Kehl. The sports director saw not only the team’s performance, but also the reaction of the fans as encouraging: “We are playing against Real Madrid. That’s why we’re going to need an incredible amount of heart. That’s what people gave us today.”
The perfect farewell
When Reus was substituted in the 82nd minute to thunderous applause from the stands, all BVB professionals stood in line. “It was perfect, I am incredibly grateful for the love that people have shown me,” enthused the attacker, who was often set back by injuries in his career and has therefore achieved two successes in the DFB Cup so far (2017/2021 ) had to be content.
The club is losing an important support: it is not yet clear where Marco Reus (left) will play next season.dpa
“Today I tried to enjoy everything. The last bus ride to the stadium, the warm-up, the game, everything. These are the moments for which you really become a footballer. You are often away from your family and that is your second family.” Immediately after the final whistle, hardly any spectators left the stadium. Almost everyone wanted to see Reus climb up to the lead singer’s desk in the middle of the south stand and thank him for his years of support.
“It was a farewell as befits a player in this category: with very high esteem, incredibly great emotions and with a good game that was won,” said sports director Kehl. The club showed a picture of a cash register under the south stand at The farewell beer is on me. Your Marco.”
With Reus, BVB is losing its most popular professional, who is still held in the highest regard, especially abroad. According to midfielder Julian Brandt, this gap cannot be closed for the time being: “These are big shoes to fill. None of us have feet that big. We will try to spread it across several shoulders.”
The Dortmund native left it open which club he would play for next season. “I want to keep playing because I just feel good and because I have the confidence to do so. I think I’m still good. But now the focus is on June 1st,” said Reus, referring to the ultimate showdown of his career at Wembley.
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