Marvin Bakalorz can officially say he is a DFB Cup winner. Back in 2012 when Dortmund last won the trophy, Bakalorz was in the first-team squad, though he didn’t actually make an appearance in the competition. But holding the trophy once can only make you want to win it again, and that’s exactly what he wants to do.
It won’t be easy for him this season though. Bakalorz will face his old club Borussia Dortmund with current side SV Paderborn in the second round of the DFB Cup, but he believes the underdogs have a genuine chance against last season’s finalists. DFB.de spoke to Bakalorz about his emotions ahead of the draw, his foul on Marco Reus and Paderborn’s new manager Stefan Effenberg.
DFB.de: What was going through your mind when the draw was made?
Marvin Bakalorz: It was crazy. I had just said to my then teammate Uwe Hünemeier after our win over VfB Lübeck that I was expecting us to be drawn with Borussia Dortmund. I just had the feeling. I watched the draw at home with my friends and family. Then when Dortmund were drawn at home I said, “It’s going to be us, I can feel it.” Then they pulled our name out of the hat.
DFB.de: How did you react?
Bakalorz: I stood on the couch at home and became really excited. We’re finally going to play against my old team and in the best stadium in Germany. It’s going to be great!
DFB.de: You were at BVB between 2010 and 2013, where you were a key player in the 3. Liga where the BVB second team play. Do you keep in touch with your former teammates still?
Bakalorz: Not much. I’m still in contact with Erik Durm. Unfortunately he has been injured for a while and will probably still be out for our game. Otherwise, the only other person would be my former U23s manager David Wagner. I’ve had less and less contact with Jonas Hofmann; however we’re always pleased when we get to see each other again!
DFB.de: When people think of Paderborn versus Dortmund, they will invariably look back to the meeting in November 2014. You were heavily criticised after a foul on Marco Reus. How much did you follow the incident afterwards?
Bakalorz: I’ve moved on now. The whole thing was overhyped somewhat by the media back then. When we played in Dortmund it was a special match for me. A lot of people looked at me then and the fans whistled too. I thought I could leave the stadium a stronger person. Unfortunately we lost, by my performance was pretty standard. After the game Jürgen Klopp and I exchanged a few words. But it’s been forgotten now for me, I hope the same goes for the Dortmund fans.
DFB.de: the match in Dortmund will be the third DFB Cup tie in your career. What status does the competition have for you?
Bakalorz: For me DFB Cup matches are hugely important. I was able to hold the trophy back in 2012 when BVB won it. I hadn’t yet played back then, but I still got to experience the whole thing. I was there for the celebrations. There’s nothing better for a footballer than holding a trophy. It gives you great incentive to progress. It will obviously be difficult against these tough opponents, but this competition has seen crazier things happen in the past.
DFB.de: Your father Dirk also played on or two thrilling cup ties. Has he told you all about his experiences in the competition?
Bakalorz: Yes, I still remember one or two. Unfortunately, he was never lucky enough to win the cup. He often says how much he wished he had done.
DFB.de: Since Uwe Hünemeier left you’ve been captain at SC Paderborn. Has anything changed since then?
Bakalorz: It pushes me forward. I don’t see this role as a burden. Obviously you have more task as a captain. It’s more than just wearing an armband. It’s been a tough team recently and a lot of players have come to me. I try to be there for them in that case. The first thing I said to them all was that I will always listen to them. On the pitch I’m not the type of person who shouts all the time. I try to lead the players through my performance.
DFB.de: You have a new manager now, who led Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern München to DFB Cup success as captain during his playing days. Do you thing Stefan Effenberg’s experience could play a decisive role in Dortmund?
Bakalorz: Yes of course. Stefan Effenberg has seen and done everything as a footballer so he’s in a perfect place to give us the right advice. Stefan Effenberg won the cup twice in his career. That can only be a help to us
DFB.de: What makes you optimistic that Paderborn will cause a big upset in Dortmund?
Bakalorz: We have a lot of character in this team; you can achieve a lot with that. That goes for both the league and the cup. Our manager knows how to fire us up and we know that any team has a chance in this tournament. We have a lot of quality in our squad. Obviously Dortmund are very strong this season, but as a team we can achieve something.
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Marvin Bakalorz can officially say he is a DFB Cup winner. Back in 2012 when Dortmund last won the trophy, Bakalorz was in the first-team squad, though he didn’t actually make an appearance in the competition. But holding the trophy once can only make you want to win it again, and that’s exactly what he wants to do.
It won’t be easy for him this season though. Bakalorz will face his old club Borussia Dortmund with current side SV Paderborn in the second round of the DFB Cup, but he believes the underdogs have a genuine chance against last season’s finalists. DFB.de spoke to Bakalorz about his emotions ahead of the draw, his foul on Marco Reus and Paderborn’s new manager Stefan Effenberg.
DFB.de: What was going through your mind when the draw was made?
Marvin Bakalorz: It was crazy. I had just said to my then teammate Uwe Hünemeier after our win over VfB Lübeck that I was expecting us to be drawn with Borussia Dortmund. I just had the feeling. I watched the draw at home with my friends and family. Then when Dortmund were drawn at home I said, “It’s going to be us, I can feel it.” Then they pulled our name out of the hat.
DFB.de: How did you react?
Bakalorz: I stood on the couch at home and became really excited. We’re finally going to play against my old team and in the best stadium in Germany. It’s going to be great!
DFB.de: You were at BVB between 2010 and 2013, where you were a key player in the 3. Liga where the BVB second team play. Do you keep in touch with your former teammates still?
Bakalorz: Not much. I’m still in contact with Erik Durm. Unfortunately he has been injured for a while and will probably still be out for our game. Otherwise, the only other person would be my former U23s manager David Wagner. I’ve had less and less contact with Jonas Hofmann; however we’re always pleased when we get to see each other again!
DFB.de: When people think of Paderborn versus Dortmund, they will invariably look back to the meeting in November 2014. You were heavily criticised after a foul on Marco Reus. How much did you follow the incident afterwards?
Bakalorz: I’ve moved on now. The whole thing was overhyped somewhat by the media back then. When we played in Dortmund it was a special match for me. A lot of people looked at me then and the fans whistled too. I thought I could leave the stadium a stronger person. Unfortunately we lost, by my performance was pretty standard. After the game Jürgen Klopp and I exchanged a few words. But it’s been forgotten now for me, I hope the same goes for the Dortmund fans.
DFB.de: the match in Dortmund will be the third DFB Cup tie in your career. What status does the competition have for you?
Bakalorz: For me DFB Cup matches are hugely important. I was able to hold the trophy back in 2012 when BVB won it. I hadn’t yet played back then, but I still got to experience the whole thing. I was there for the celebrations. There’s nothing better for a footballer than holding a trophy. It gives you great incentive to progress. It will obviously be difficult against these tough opponents, but this competition has seen crazier things happen in the past.
DFB.de: Your father Dirk also played on or two thrilling cup ties. Has he told you all about his experiences in the competition?
Bakalorz: Yes, I still remember one or two. Unfortunately, he was never lucky enough to win the cup. He often says how much he wished he had done.
DFB.de: Since Uwe Hünemeier left you’ve been captain at SC Paderborn. Has anything changed since then?
Bakalorz: It pushes me forward. I don’t see this role as a burden. Obviously you have more task as a captain. It’s more than just wearing an armband. It’s been a tough team recently and a lot of players have come to me. I try to be there for them in that case. The first thing I said to them all was that I will always listen to them. On the pitch I’m not the type of person who shouts all the time. I try to lead the players through my performance.
DFB.de: You have a new manager now, who led Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern München to DFB Cup success as captain during his playing days. Do you thing Stefan Effenberg’s experience could play a decisive role in Dortmund?
Bakalorz: Yes of course. Stefan Effenberg has seen and done everything as a footballer so he’s in a perfect place to give us the right advice. Stefan Effenberg won the cup twice in his career. That can only be a help to us
DFB.de: What makes you optimistic that Paderborn will cause a big upset in Dortmund?
Bakalorz: We have a lot of character in this team; you can achieve a lot with that. That goes for both the league and the cup. Our manager knows how to fire us up and we know that any team has a chance in this tournament. We have a lot of quality in our squad. Obviously Dortmund are very strong this season, but as a team we can achieve something.
