Germany international Marco Reus led Borussia Dortmund onto the pitch as captain against SV Werder Bremen, together with World Champions Erik Durm and Matthias Ginter, as well as U21 Germany international Julian Weigl. Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Shinji Kagawa and Adrian Ramos saw Dortmund claim a 3-2 victory - their 21st win of the season.
Reus replaced Germany team mate Mats Hummels as skipper, with Tuchel resting his defensive leader. Reus was very active for BVB, recording four attempts on goal and created many more before he was brought off after 80 minutes. In this interview with DFB.de the 26-year-old spoke about Borussia’s mental strength, qualifying for the Champions League and their Europa League encounter with Liverpool and former coach Jürgen Klopp on Thursday.
Question: Marco Reus, the final twenty minutes during Dortmund’s 3-2 victory over Bremen produced a lot of drama. How was the game for you?
Marco Reus: We took the lead in the first half and had the game under control until we conceded two very unnecessary goals which produced a thrilling end to the game. We have often turned games around late on this season, which is why we always remained calm. We got the equaliser and quickly added a third goal to secure the win.
Question: Is it good to know that Dortmund can call on a plan B if their original plan isn’t working, considering the upcoming games with Liverpool and Schalke?
Reus: Definitely. Like I said: We’ve had to come from behind several times already this season and we’ve proven that we can turn games around. Obviously it wasn’t our plan to fall behind against Bremen. We simply should’ve scored a second goal sooner, which would’ve put the game to bed. But we kept the match open and I’m obviously happy that we managed to win in the end.
Question: Prior to the game it was already certain that you had reached your first target for the season, by securing Champions League football for next season. How excited is the team about this achievement?
Reus: We are very happy to have qualified. It was our goal to return to the Champions League after missing out on this year’s competition. It wasn’t easy to get back into our rhythm after the international break and we noticed that while playing against Bremen. That makes this win even more important.
Question: Dortmund fans are eagerly anticipating Thursday’s encounter with Liverpool and former coach Jürgen Klopp. Will it be an emotional game for you?
Reus: It hasn’t been a factor until now, since we invested a lot into the game with Werder. We still have enough time to prepare for Liverpool. Our coach and his staff will outline our plan for the game and we are all looking forward to it.
Question: Will it be difficult to play against Klopp’s preferred style of early pressing?
Reus: We will see, but every game is difficult. We’ve had a few games this season where we played well but it’s a new game on Thursday. We will be well prepared.
Question: Who do you think is the favourite on Thursday, when the Premier League’s ninth-placed side faces off with Germany’s second-placed side?
Reus: I think it will be a fifty-fifty game. Both teams are very strong and we have to prepare well in order to find the right approach for this game. But I think this win against Bremen will give us confidence, simply because we always manage to comeback and stay calm.
Question: A lot of players know Jürgen Klopp and he will be well aware of how you play. Who will profit more from the fact that you’ve worked together in the past?
Reus: No one. In the end it’s the players that decide what happens on the pitch, with the coach outlining the tactics. We have our own philosophy, which will be displayed on the pitch on Thursday.
Question: You started the game against Werder as the skipper, with Mats Hummels being rested. What did that mean to you?
Reus: I’m very proud of that and it’s a big deal for me. I’m very happy to have led the team onto the pitch.
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Germany international Marco Reus led Borussia Dortmund onto the pitch as captain against SV Werder Bremen, together with World Champions Erik Durm and Matthias Ginter, as well as U21 Germany international Julian Weigl. Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Shinji Kagawa and Adrian Ramos saw Dortmund claim a 3-2 victory - their 21st win of the season.
Reus replaced Germany team mate Mats Hummels as skipper, with Tuchel resting his defensive leader. Reus was very active for BVB, recording four attempts on goal and created many more before he was brought off after 80 minutes. In this interview with DFB.de the 26-year-old spoke about Borussia’s mental strength, qualifying for the Champions League and their Europa League encounter with Liverpool and former coach Jürgen Klopp on Thursday.
Question: Marco Reus, the final twenty minutes during Dortmund’s 3-2 victory over Bremen produced a lot of drama. How was the game for you?
Marco Reus: We took the lead in the first half and had the game under control until we conceded two very unnecessary goals which produced a thrilling end to the game. We have often turned games around late on this season, which is why we always remained calm. We got the equaliser and quickly added a third goal to secure the win.
Question: Is it good to know that Dortmund can call on a plan B if their original plan isn’t working, considering the upcoming games with Liverpool and Schalke?
Reus: Definitely. Like I said: We’ve had to come from behind several times already this season and we’ve proven that we can turn games around. Obviously it wasn’t our plan to fall behind against Bremen. We simply should’ve scored a second goal sooner, which would’ve put the game to bed. But we kept the match open and I’m obviously happy that we managed to win in the end.
Question: Prior to the game it was already certain that you had reached your first target for the season, by securing Champions League football for next season. How excited is the team about this achievement?
Reus: We are very happy to have qualified. It was our goal to return to the Champions League after missing out on this year’s competition. It wasn’t easy to get back into our rhythm after the international break and we noticed that while playing against Bremen. That makes this win even more important.
Question: Dortmund fans are eagerly anticipating Thursday’s encounter with Liverpool and former coach Jürgen Klopp. Will it be an emotional game for you?
Reus: It hasn’t been a factor until now, since we invested a lot into the game with Werder. We still have enough time to prepare for Liverpool. Our coach and his staff will outline our plan for the game and we are all looking forward to it.
Question: Will it be difficult to play against Klopp’s preferred style of early pressing?
Reus: We will see, but every game is difficult. We’ve had a few games this season where we played well but it’s a new game on Thursday. We will be well prepared.
Question: Who do you think is the favourite on Thursday, when the Premier League’s ninth-placed side faces off with Germany’s second-placed side?
Reus: I think it will be a fifty-fifty game. Both teams are very strong and we have to prepare well in order to find the right approach for this game. But I think this win against Bremen will give us confidence, simply because we always manage to comeback and stay calm.
Question: A lot of players know Jürgen Klopp and he will be well aware of how you play. Who will profit more from the fact that you’ve worked together in the past?
Reus: No one. In the end it’s the players that decide what happens on the pitch, with the coach outlining the tactics. We have our own philosophy, which will be displayed on the pitch on Thursday.
Question: You started the game against Werder as the skipper, with Mats Hummels being rested. What did that mean to you?
Reus: I’m very proud of that and it’s a big deal for me. I’m very happy to have led the team onto the pitch.
