The criticism of Borussia Dortmund and Edin Terzic is getting louder. On Thursday, the BVB coach took a stand and spoke about the personnel in the game at Union Berlin.
After some poor performances of late, Borussia Dortmund suffered their first competitive defeat of the year in a 3-2 loss to TSG Hoffenheim. And things immediately became more uncomfortable for BVB and especially for coach Edin Terzic.
The pressure on the coach is growing ahead of Saturday’s visit to Union Berlin (3.30pm, RS live ticker). If his team does not improve, qualification for the Champions League – Dortmund’s minimum target – could be in jeopardy.
“I’ve got out of the habit of letting things get too close to me and reading things. I don’t really get it all and haven’t followed it all that closely,” said Terzic on Thursday at the press conference ahead of the game in the capital. “It’s logical that things are unsettled. But that’s been the case since the start of the season. Once it gets going, it’s hard to stop it.”
Although BVB currently occupy fourth place, RB Leipzig are breathing down Borussia’s neck, just one point behind, and also have the easier remaining program in the final third of the season. And the trend at BVB is pointing downwards after just one win from the last four Bundesliga games. “We’ve dropped 13 points this season. That’s the reason why we’re not playing for more this season,” says Terzic, who wants to “lead the way with solutions and content.”
Hindering factor: Donyell Malen is out against Union Berlin. The Dutchman has to serve a yellow card. As a result, BVB will be without by far the most in-form player in their offense. Malen has scored four goals in his last three appearances.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will also have to miss out, with Alexander Meyer replacing him once again. Terzic will also have to do without Sebastien Haller and Felix Nmecha. However, Niklas Süle, who has been ill recently, will return to the team. And Mats Hummels is also back to full strength, meaning BVB have two options for the place next to Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense and do not have to withdraw captain Emre Can from midfield again