Can Arminia Bielefeld record their first win of the season against Borussia Dortmund of all teams? On Saturday, the second-placed team in the table is at home.
Amsterdam four, Dortmund nil. A game in the top flight that may encourage many a Bielefeld supporter. For Saturday, when the defeated Borussia shows up at the Schüco Arena. However: Arminia is not Ajax, the East Westphalians have scored just four goals in the 720 minutes of the season that the Dutch managed in 90 minutes on Tuesday.
And yet Amsterdam showed how to cause Borussia problems. With things that the Arminians have always been proud of, but too seldom put into practice. Courageous play on the offensive, great willingness to run, aggressive pressing, uncompromising tackling. Or, as Robin Hack succinctly puts it: “Just play courageously, play football, don’t shit your trousers. “
Just play bravely, play football, don’t poop your trousers.
ROBIN HACK
But can the still winless Arminia flip the switch against, of all teams, the runners-up in the table, who can hardly afford another performance like the one in Amsterdam? It is above all the offensive that is causing concern, not only the only four goals scored are an expression of harmlessness. Rather, they are a result of the lack of forward play. Efficiency leaves a lot to be desired. With 22.3 shots on goal per goal and seven chances to score, coach Frank Kramer’s team ranks 18th in the league in these statistics.
In fact, Bielefeld only created 28 goal-scoring chances, only Augsburg is even more harmless with 26 opportunities. 89 shots on goal mean 14th place overall, the passing rate of 72.2 per cent means 15th place. All of which can be improved. The key, it seems, when you hear the Bielefeld players and officials talk, is courage. “We must remain courageous,” demands captain Manuel Prietl after the improved performance in the second half in Augsburg. Of course, there must be more to come against Dortmund. How can it be done? Ajax showed us how.
