The city and the police are already planning a possible championship celebration. But Borussia Dortmund is dependent on help – which can also come from arch-rivals Schalke.
The plans for the championship party at Borsigplatz are already in full swing, but Edin Terzic is still keeping the ball low. “We have to win our three games, that’s the only thing we can influence,” said the Borussia Dortmund coach ahead of the gripping final spurt of the season in the Bundesliga.
BVB, second in the table, is reliant on another slip-up from leaders Bayern Munich ahead of their home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday (6.30pm/Sky) when they trail by one point. “Whether Schalke, Leipzig or Cologne support us in the end, I don’t care,” said Terzic.
Support from the Royal Blue arch-rivals in Munich on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky) would be a special touch in an already extraordinary season. In view of their own game three hours later, however, the BVB pros will not be watching the encounter. “The fact that there will be one or two push messages is something we can’t ignore. But we will not organise any public viewing,” Terzic assured.
Public celebrations are to take place after the last match against FSV Mainz 05 on 27 May. “The preparations for a possible championship match in Dortmund have long since begun. In the last few days, the word “championship celebration” has been mentioned more often in staff meetings than in the entire year before,” police spokesman Peter Bandermann told Bild.
The city has also prepared for a big celebration. They will be happy to tell you more in a fortnight, said Mayor Thomas Westphal. It is clear, however, that long-term preparations are necessary, as there are many things to organise. The SPD politician assured the audience that they already had an internal plan.
But OB Westphal can also read the table. Therefore, he enticed the relegation-threatened Schalke players with a curious reward. “If Schalke beats FC Bayern and BVB becomes champions as a result, then I will invite the current Schalke team to the town hall to sign the Golden Book,” he said. But S04 coach Thomas Reis declined, saying Dortmund would have to “come up with other ideas”.
First, however, BVB must do their homework and record their eleventh home win in a row against Gladbach. “We still have a hell of an opportunity. Anyone who needs motivation or special things in training now is out of place here,” said international Niklas Süle.
In training, things are hot, everyone is burning for the big goal. “The intensity and quality,” praised Terzic, “is very satisfying.” Also with Jude Bellingham, who is said to be in agreement with Real Madrid about a move in the summer. “Jude is handling the situation very professionally,” Terzic said. A jubilant ride around Borsigplatz would be the perfect farewell.
*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***