Marcel Sabitzer was sorely missed in the 1:4 in Leipzig. The Austrian will return to Borussia Dortmund’s starting eleven against Paris Saint-Germain. This is very good news for BVB. Because Sabitzer is the club’s new pace-setter
“Sabi has really developed into a leader, a pace-setter who gives a lot of pressing signals,” said Leipzig coach Marco Rose before the match against Borussia Dortmund – and was probably not particularly sad on Saturday that the same “Sabi”, i.e. former Leipzig and current Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, was not on the pitch at all in the direct duel against each other.
The absence of the Austrian, who was still suffering from the effects of a flu-like infection and was therefore not used by BVB coach Edin Terzic, played into RB’s hands, as Borussia had to make do without their best man of recent weeks. Even if that was not the sole reason for BVB’s 4-1 defeat, Sabitzer’s absence certainly played a role. Especially as his replacement Felix Nmecha – not for the first time – completely disappointed
Sabitzer’s gala against Atletico
Dortmund are all the happier that Sabitzer should be fully fit again by Wednesday. The first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain is then on the agenda. It will be Dortmund’s biggest game since May 29, 2023, when the club lost the championship 2:2 to Mainz. At international level, a comparable duel goes back even further: BVB is back in the top four in the premier class for the first time since reaching the final in 2013 and then losing to FC Bayern (1:2). Under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund beat Real Madrid in the semi-final back then. This time, the clearly favored star ensemble from Paris should stumble over BVB.
Whether BVB’s plan will be crowned with success will depend to a large extent on whether Sabitzer can continue his strong form of recent weeks in the same profitable manner. In the Bundesliga, the 30-year-old scored a brace in the 2-1 win at Mönchengladbach and set up Niclas Füllkrug’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Leverkusen.
Even more important was his performance in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid: with a goal – to make the final score 4:2 – and two assists, he was the outstanding player on the pitch and a major factor in the semi-final victory.
Terzic: “It has to do with quality “
“What he has shown now,” enthused BVB coach Terzic after the game, “has nothing to do with chance, but with quality.” The 41-year-old then listed the qualities that make Sabitzer so valuable for BVB: “He is extremely hard-working in defense, always makes sure that the opponent can’t play forward in peace, goes for second balls, wins and chases balls. That’s why I hope he won’t just be reduced to scoring goals and assists. Because he played an incredible game in both directions.” If Sabitzer manages a similar performance against Paris, it would undoubtedly boost Dortmund’s chances significantly.
In addition to Sabitzer, Emre Can and Ian Maatsen, who were suspended in Leipzig and also suffered from muscular problems, are also set to return to the starting eleven. Mats Hummels, who was substituted on Saturday due to a wound on his shin, is also ready for action
