BVB defeated Hoffenheim 2-0. Nico Schlotterbeck played a major role in this victory. He talks about his goal, his celebration, and a moment of shock.
The midweek fixtures and elimination from the DFB Cup had a happy ending 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 (43′), and Nico Schlotterbeck extended the lead (60′).
BVB ultimately celebrated a commanding victory, although Hoffenheim, who are in good form and strong away from home, posed a major challenge for the hosts, especially in the first half.
“They played with brutal intensity, especially in the first half,” Schlotterbeck said in a TV interview with DAZN after the final whistle. “It was an evenly matched game. We then scored the goals and played it out well, hardly allowing them any chances.” The German international praised the opposition: “Hoffenheim have a great team, it’s not easy to play in Dortmund. We had a 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 big part in that himself.
The center back, who took over the captain’s armband from Emre Can (bench), put in an impeccable performance in defense and scored the decisive 2-0 goal. Following a corner kick, he slid in from the left side of the penalty area and slammed the ball into the far corner. “I slid because I noticed an opponent coming up behind me,” he explained afterwards. “I hit 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 shouted loudly. “It was pure joy,” he said. “It was extremely important after Tuesday’s defeat.”
Later in the game, Schlotterbeck survived another scary moment unscathed: in the 70th minute, he slid in to clear the ball against the onrushing Hoffenheim player Vladimir Coufal, who unfortunately hit Schlotterbeck in the face with his studs. However, the Dortmund player was able to continue playing, albeit with a minor bruise under his eye. “He apologized immediately, everything’s fine,” said Schlotterbeck. He said he didn’t even notice the visible marks at first.
So BVB probably doesn’t have to worry about its defensive leader. He told DAZN: “I was happy that the team performed well and rewarded itself. It wasn’t easy, we rotated a lot. We’re coming out of the week feeling good.”