In ex-coach Marco Rose’s debut, Borussia Dortmund were largely without a chance in the 3-0 defeat in Leipzig. The BVB’s self-criticism was correspondingly clear.
“It was very bitter for us. We played against a very strong opponent. It was not a good performance and a deserved defeat,” said Edin Terzic, who added, alluding to a few good opening minutes until Leipzig’s early lead: “It’s not enough to have five or six good minutes in Leipzig. “
Salih Özcan also praised the wide-awake Saxons, who showed much more verve and assertiveness on the offensive than Borussia, on Sky. “Leipzig did quite well, playing quickly on the outside with deep balls. A new coach always brings new impulses. We knew they would play with verve and, above all, more poisonously than last time.” Beyond the strength of the opponents, the new summer signing from Cologne was also dissatisfied with his own team’s performance: “I thought we didn’t give the necessary percentage in the duels.
Schlotterbeck: “Have to show a different face”
Similarly, Nico Schlotterbeck named further weak points in BVB’s game: “We were perhaps a touch too careless, Leipzig deserved to win. We were trailing early on and lost a lot of balls up front and at the back. It was not our day.”
In view of the upcoming English week with opponents Manchester City in the Champions League (Wednesday, 9 p.m.) and then the derby on Saturday (3.30 p.m.) against FC Schalke 04, Schlotterbeck and Özcan want to draw the right conclusions from the Leipzig game, but at the same time quickly put it behind them. “I’m looking forward to City and the whole week, which can perhaps be very decisive for the coming weeks. We have to show a different face there,” affirmed the defender.
Werder loanee Njinmah with debut
For at least one player, the afternoon of 10 September 2022 should remain unforgettable despite Dortmund’s defeat. For Justin Njinmah – actually in the squad of third-division Dortmund II, who lost 2-1 to Oldenburg on Saturday – came on for Özcan in the 69th minute for his Bundesliga debut.
Curios: The Hamburg-born 21-year-old is not even owned by the Westphalians at the moment, but is on loan from Werder Bremen.