After a lengthy injury layoff, Marcel Sabitzer found himself back in the starting eleven for Borussia Dortmund’s narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United. The Austrian international was delighted with his performance and the result.
Marcel Sabitzer had to wait over a month due to an adductor injury before he found his way back into the starting eleven for his club Borussia Dortmund. In the 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the Champions League group stage, the Austrian international played the full game and immediately celebrated an important success with his team. The 29-year-old midfielder put in an assured performance and was an important link in Dortmund’s central lineup. BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl even called him an “invigorating element for the team” on “Sky” after the game and Sabitzer himself was also at peace with his performance, as he told “ServusTV”: “I think I got into the game well. “
For Dortmund, it was the first win in the third group match, which has significantly increased their chances of a possible participation in the round of 16 of the premier class again. With four points, the black-and-yellows are currently level on points with Newcastle (4 each) behind league leader Paris Saint-Germain (6). After the start on international soil had not gone according to plan, the win in Newcastle against the Premier League club had an even greater significance, as Sabitzer explained: “We wanted the win badly, we needed it. That’s why it’s a very good result. It’s not easy away at Newcastle. Paris has also experienced that. From that: it was a little bit happy, but we are very satisfied. “
Sabitzer “very satisfied” with performance workload
The 75-time Austrian international had recently had to sit out for a long time due to adductor problems and only made his comeback for Dortmund on the last Bundesliga matchday against Werder Bremen (1-0). Prior to that, the Welser-born player had already made two appearances for the Austrian national team in the European Championship qualifiers against Belgium (2:3) and Azerbaijan (1:0) and promptly contributed a goal in both matches. Although he has not yet managed to do so for his current club, Sabitzer was nevertheless pleased with his return to the starting eleven: “After a lengthy injury layoff, it’s important to get back into rhythm. Since it was a game where it goes back and forth, I was cautious about that at first. How long can I go at that pace? It was enough for 90 minutes. From that point of view, I’m very satisfied. “
Former Dortmund pro Steffen Freund (117 appearances) also saw “a really good, well-rounded performance” from the ÖFB team player, who after overcoming injury now wants to really attack again in order to establish himself in head coach Edin Terzic’s starting eleven in the longer term. His performance in Newcastle was the first step in this direction, and this weekend’s away game against Eintracht Frankfurt will be the next opportunity for the 29-year-old to earn more points with the coach.