Borussia Dortmund experiences anxiety upon witnessing their supporters.
With the new manager Nuri Şahin, Borussia Dortmund has continued an age-old tradition: winning their opening game of the season. This streak of success has gone on for ten consecutive years now. The atmosphere in the team is serene after a summer filled with changes, but tension does set in when they gaze upon the crowd.
Dortmund emerged victorious in their first match of the new season, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 (0-0). Their incredible streak of winning the opening game of each season hasn't waned, even in the face of new coaches and changing lineups. The only time they've failed to carry this tradition off was during the 2014/2015 season under Jürgen Klopp.
The 2021 summer brought about significant changes, the most notable being the appointment of Nuri Şahin, a homegrown talent who replaced Edin Terzić as the head coach. With his energetic approach, the 35-year-old former midfielder assumed command of the Westfalenstadion.
Objections Over Arms Manufacturer Deal
The crowd booed during half-time, waving a banner criticizing Dortmund's partnership with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. Protesters hoped to disrupt the game by unfurling a mock tank replica from a truck, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Discontent was evident in the stands, although it was expressed in a civilized manner. The organizers may have panicked prior to the match, but the tension was short-lived. Advertisements for energy drinks and online casinos soon replaced the displays praising the arms manufacturer's contributions. The crowd seemed unfazed by the interruption.
The Weather and the Return of Borussia
The fans reveled in the pleasant late summer weather, enjoying their team's return. As the game drew to a close, they took off their jerseys, sang, and encouraged Jamie Gittens to perform a solo in front of the south stand.
From Almost-Gittens to Gittens
Gittens shed his double surname this summer, as well as the burden of nearly single-handedly winning the match. His performances had too often fallen short of expectations. This time, however, things were different. In the 30 minutes he spent on the field (he came on in the 60th minute for Donyell Malen), Gittens impressed as the first top substitute of the new season.
Gittens scored the opening goal in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a deep pass from Pascal Groß. He sidestepped Frankfurt's Rasmus Kristensen, leaving him no chance to defend, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. The Dortmund fans erupted in delight, but they should have been angered instead. Chaibi of Frankfurt had had a golden opportunity to take the lead a minute earlier, but a mistake by Nico Schlotterbeck had denied him the chance. "If Chaibi had scored, it would have changed everything," said Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller afterward. "That was the decisive moment."
BVB Triumphs in the End
Borussia Dortmund secured their first three points of the new season in the second minute of stoppage time, just as Frankfurt's opportunity seemed to have been thwarted by a sliding tackle from substitute Ramy Bensebaini. A swift counterattack resulted in Gittens' goal, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The Exit of Reus and Hummels
Seasoned players Marco Reus and Mats Hummels bid farewell to Dortmund this summer, with Hummels heading to the internet and Reus joining Los Angeles FC. "A lot has happened," explained sporting director Sebastian Kehl, citing the departures and arrivals, including Mauro Beier, Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton, Yan Couto, and Pascal Groß, who assisted Gittens' goal.
Reus' departure marked the end of his Dortmund career, while Hummels remained a beloved figure, sharing his new experiences online. Hummels wrote, "It all feels strangely ordinary," accompanied by a screenshot of the game just before halftime.
Sahin Seeks Patience
The absence of Reus and Hummels did little to alter Hauptstadion's familiar atmosphere. Sahin's team retained control of the ball, Frankfurt pressed relentlessly in an attempt to disrupt their attacks, and Dortmund defended countless corners. The first half passed largely uneventfully.
Dortmund's first shot on target came in the 30th minute, following a combination featuring the subdued Donyell Malen, Julian Ryerson, and Karim Adeyemi. Although the effort was weak, it posed a threat to the goal.
around mid-August, Sahin had previously asked the fans for something uncommon in football - time and patience. He expressed this at a time when Dortmund's exposure against Frankfurt was still minimal. Even after confirming on Sky that "We know we need to deliver!", Sahin's words still rang true.
Dortmund cruised past Phoenix Lübeck 4-1 in the cup recently, shedding little light. Following this, Julian Brandt promised an unprecedented passing masterclass. Brandt was spot on, as Dortmund orchestrated around 700 passes against Frankfurt, compared to the opposition's mere 300 plus.
Pascal Groß as Dortmund's Xhaka stand-in
Recently signed Gesamtliga veteran Pascal Groß is supposed to operate this passing machine in Dortmund. Born in Mannheim, the 33-year-old made a comeback to the Bundesliga after spending seven prolific years in exile at Brighton on England's south coast. The arrival of Dortmund's very own Grant Xhaka, following his departure from Arsenal last summer, had been eagerly anticipated.
Groß is tipped to set the pace and dictate the play. For around 10 million euros, he's Dortmund's marquee acquisition, demonstrating his ability through over 100 active touches, composure, and poise. He doesn't need speed to excel, as his top speed was recorded at just over 26 km/h, contrasting with top sprinter Adeyemi's nearly 34.57 km/h.
The frayed nerves that came with former coach Terzić's tenure were also apparent in Emre Can's frenzied ball handling. However, with Groß by his side, Can found solace as he now had more opportunities for interception. Against Frankfurt, this proved effective to some extent. Can also handed in a few slip-ups, but the Dortmund defense remained unscathed. One of the game's most memorable moments belonged to Can. In a desperate attempt to stop the young Frankfurt sensation Ekitike breaking towards the BVB goal towards the end of the first half with a tactical foul, Can failed, but he managed to rip off a piece of Ekitike's red shirt. He threw it onto the pitch, where it lay for several minutes.
Felix Zwayer, the referee, seemed to overlook Can's antics on his return to Dortmund, around three years after his last appearance, which was begrudgingly accepted by Jude Bellingham. The Berliner kept a low profile throughout the game and appeared content with his performance.
Similarly, Gittens' exuberance following a 2-goal haul during the game was evident. "The first game is so significant. It's a thrilling sensation to score two goals in front of the world's best fans," he said gleefully. Neither of them had a clue where the 2023 season journey would take them. Sahin grappled with new expectations in the sports studio, maintaining his aggressive stance. When it comes to the season finale, he politely mentioned that he wouldn't mind being in the mix. As of now, it is not the case. We start anew. By retaining 66% possession, perpetrating countless passes, and exerting control, the BVB demonstrated what they're capable of. However, none of us were expecting them to.
Nuri Şahin, the new Borussia Dortmund manager, was a homegrown talent who replaced Edin Terzić as the head coach during the 2021 summer. Despite protests over Dortmund's partnership with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall during the match against Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund secured their first three points of the season with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a goal scored by Jamie Gittens in the 72nd minute.
