BVB defeated Hoffenheim 2-0. Nico Schlotterbeck played a major role in that victory. He talks about his goal, the celebration, and a moment of shock.
The busy week, including the DFB-Pokal exit, ended on a high note for Borussia Dortmund: Coach Niko Kovac’s team bounced back on Sunday evening with a 2-0 home win against TSG Hoffenheim. Julian Brandt put BVB ahead (43rd minute), and Nico Schlotterbeck extended the lead (60th minute).
In the end, BVB celebrated a commanding victory, although Hoffenheim—strong in form and on the road—posed major challenges for the hosts, especially in the first half.
“They played with brutal intensity, especially in the first half,” Schlotterbeck said in a post-match TV interview with DAZN. “It was an evenly matched game. We scored the goals and played it out well, hardly letting them create anything.” The German international praised the opponent: “Hoffenheim has a great team; it’s not easy to play in Dortmund. We had that little bit of luck on our side and deserved to win.”
BVB star Schlotterbeck on his celebration: “It was pure joy.” Schlotterbeck, who has been the subject of transfer rumors for weeks, played a major role in that himself.
The center back, who took over the captain’s armband from Emre Can (on the bench), put in a flawless defensive performance and scored the decisive 2-0 goal. Following a corner kick, he slid in from a position slightly to the left in the penalty area and smashed the ball into the far corner. “I slid because I noticed an opponent coming up from behind,” he explained afterward. “I struck the ball well; I like to shoot over my standing leg.”
The 26-year-old celebrated his first goal of the season exuberantly. He ripped the captain’s armband off his arm, flexed his biceps for the stadium, and let out a loud shout. “It was pure joy,” he said. “It was extremely important after Tuesday’s loss.”
Later in the game, Schlotterbeck survived a scary moment unscathed: In the 70th minute, he slid in to clear the ball against the onrushing Hoffenheim player Vladimir Coufal, who unfortunately struck Schlotterbeck in the face with his cleats. But the Dortmund player was able to continue playing, though he did walk away with a small bruise under his eye. “He apologized immediately, everything’s fine,” Schlotterbeck said. He hadn’t even noticed at first that he bore visible marks from the incident.
So BVB likely doesn’t need to worry about its defensive leader. He told DAZN: “I was glad that the team put in a good performance and was rewarded for it. It wasn’t easy; we rotated a lot. We’re ending the week on a high note.”