Five losses after eight Bundesliga games, including three defeats in a row. Five games without a win, they’ve conceded two goals in a game for the sixth time and they sit in 14th in the table: the bottom line is that this is their worst record after eight games in 27 years.
Bender likely to be selected again
All this is left behind as they enter Champions League mode, which has been so productive for them up until now. A 2-0 win over Arsenal, a 3-0 win over RSC Anderlecht- Borussia’s record in the Champions League is perfect. With another victory against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday evening (20:45 CEST), Borussia’s ticket to the last 16 would be as good as secured after only the first round of fixtures. If Arsenal were to win in Anderlecht, then there would be an eight point gap between first place and third and fourth place- a unique opportunity and an appealing prospect. However, there’s nothing less than proverbial hell waiting for BVB.
Someone that won’t be taking part is Erik Durm. The Germany international, who missed out on last Saturday’s game in Köln after straining his left thigh in the warm-up, underwent an ultrasound examination on Sunday, but BVB team doctor Dr. Markus Braun couldn’t see any damage. However, Durm wasn’t able to take part in training on Monday and therefore was unable to make the trip to Istanbul, as an appearance was apparently not possible.
But they will be relying on another Germany international: Sven Bender. “Mr. Champions League” is obviously made for these games. In the league, he has been a substitute in five games so far and in three of those games, as in Köln last weekend, he hasn’t come on at all. But he is an integral part of the team in the Champions League. And he’s very reliable! Alongside Sebastian Kehl, he ran the midfield in the games against Arsenal and Anderlecht. He currently has a rating of 2.75, whilst Kehl’s rating is 2.5. Together, they are the safe option and therefore something different to the “Football that makes no sense,” which is what manager Jürgen Klopp was referring to in terms of the teams individual errors over the last few games.
Lars Ricken recalls: “All hell breaks loose there”
And you shouldn’t make mistakes when you play against the hosts from Turkey in the Telekom Arena. Goals for the home side are opium for the fans here than anywhere else. You can hear the noise from anywhere. “It’s where all hell breaks loose. The fans there aren’t normal. Galatasaray in Istanbul is extremely unpleasant,” recalled Dortmund’s ex-international and now youth coordinator Lars Ricken about his experience of Istanbul. “The club is a religion for the fans in Turkey and the opposition feel that,” explained Erdal Keser, who played for both clubs in the 80s. He now lives in Hagen near Dortmund and, at the same time, is the “Sporting coordinator abroad” for Galatasaray.
In effect, it’s like having the fans with an aeroplane in the ground. And it’s no surprise that their ground is called “Cehennem”- hell. At a derby against Fenerbahce three years ago, a volume of 131,76 decibels could be heard. The derby against Fenerbahce three days ago was won by Galatasaray, after a late goal from Wesley Sneijder to make it 2-1. With the win, they have jumped to second place in the league. Therefore, the players are fired up, full of adrenaline and full of confidence.
Galatasaray have seven German-Turks in their squad
In Hamit Altintop, Hakan Balta, Tarik Camdal, Furkan Özcal, Sinan Gümüs, Yasin Öztekin and Koray Günter, Galatasaray have seven German-Turks in their squad, of which the latter two grew up at Dortmund and will therefore be even more motivated.
BVB will therefore have to bring all of their footballing heavyweights to the game. They will have to be consistent at the back and get forward effectively, else their visit to hell could become a permanent residence.
created by mmc/fs
Five losses after eight Bundesliga games, including three defeats in a row. Five games without a win, they’ve conceded two goals in a game for the sixth time and they sit in 14th in the table: the bottom line is that this is their worst record after eight games in 27 years.
Bender likely to be selected again
All this is left behind as they enter Champions League mode, which has been so productive for them up until now. A 2-0 win over Arsenal, a 3-0 win over RSC Anderlecht- Borussia’s record in the Champions League is perfect. With another victory against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday evening (20:45 CEST), Borussia’s ticket to the last 16 would be as good as secured after only the first round of fixtures. If Arsenal were to win in Anderlecht, then there would be an eight point gap between first place and third and fourth place- a unique opportunity and an appealing prospect. However, there’s nothing less than proverbial hell waiting for BVB.
Someone that won’t be taking part is Erik Durm. The Germany international, who missed out on last Saturday’s game in Köln after straining his left thigh in the warm-up, underwent an ultrasound examination on Sunday, but BVB team doctor Dr. Markus Braun couldn’t see any damage. However, Durm wasn’t able to take part in training on Monday and therefore was unable to make the trip to Istanbul, as an appearance was apparently not possible.
But they will be relying on another Germany international: Sven Bender. “Mr. Champions League” is obviously made for these games. In the league, he has been a substitute in five games so far and in three of those games, as in Köln last weekend, he hasn’t come on at all. But he is an integral part of the team in the Champions League. And he’s very reliable! Alongside Sebastian Kehl, he ran the midfield in the games against Arsenal and Anderlecht. He currently has a rating of 2.75, whilst Kehl’s rating is 2.5. Together, they are the safe option and therefore something different to the “Football that makes no sense,” which is what manager Jürgen Klopp was referring to in terms of the teams individual errors over the last few games.
Lars Ricken recalls: “All hell breaks loose there”
And you shouldn’t make mistakes when you play against the hosts from Turkey in the Telekom Arena. Goals for the home side are opium for the fans here than anywhere else. You can hear the noise from anywhere. “It’s where all hell breaks loose. The fans there aren’t normal. Galatasaray in Istanbul is extremely unpleasant,” recalled Dortmund’s ex-international and now youth coordinator Lars Ricken about his experience of Istanbul. “The club is a religion for the fans in Turkey and the opposition feel that,” explained Erdal Keser, who played for both clubs in the 80s. He now lives in Hagen near Dortmund and, at the same time, is the “Sporting coordinator abroad” for Galatasaray.
In effect, it’s like having the fans with an aeroplane in the ground. And it’s no surprise that their ground is called “Cehennem”- hell. At a derby against Fenerbahce three years ago, a volume of 131,76 decibels could be heard. The derby against Fenerbahce three days ago was won by Galatasaray, after a late goal from Wesley Sneijder to make it 2-1. With the win, they have jumped to second place in the league. Therefore, the players are fired up, full of adrenaline and full of confidence.
Galatasaray have seven German-Turks in their squad
In Hamit Altintop, Hakan Balta, Tarik Camdal, Furkan Özcal, Sinan Gümüs, Yasin Öztekin and Koray Günter, Galatasaray have seven German-Turks in their squad, of which the latter two grew up at Dortmund and will therefore be even more motivated.
BVB will therefore have to bring all of their footballing heavyweights to the game. They will have to be consistent at the back and get forward effectively, else their visit to hell could become a permanent residence.
