Matchday 15 - "Definitely not enough": BVB back in Bundesliga doldrums
After their powerful performance against Kylian Mbappé & Co. in the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund once again showed their dismal Bundesliga face.
Coach Edin Terzic 's team were held to a sobering 1:1 (1:1) draw at FC Augsburg and failed to escape from their crisis mode despite great chances in the thrilling final minutes.
"The result is definitely not enough," admitted the Dortmund coach after just one win from seven games in the German elite class. "Once again, it's not easy to explain." However, he still does not want to look for "excuses". "It doesn't help to moan." And yet that would be exactly the right mood to be in, given the current ten-point deficit to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, which means that the longing for the championship can basically be ticked off.
Brandt: "It all seems very difficult, very forced"
Augsburg, who have been more determined for a long time, fought their way to a courageous point at Werder a week after their first defeat under coach Jess Thorup. They have to face a strong VfB Stuttgart at the end of the season on Wednesday. "It was important for me that we showed a reaction to the game in Bremen," said the Dane, praising his team.
Dortmund will face FSV Mainz 05 on Tuesday with the championship they lost on the final matchday of last season. "It all seems very difficult, very forced," said midfielder Julian Brandt. "It's hard granite that we're biting on at the moment."
After a rustic running duel with Nico Schlotterbeck, captain Ermedin Demirovic put Augsburg ahead in the 23rd minute. His eighth goal of the season in front of 30,660 spectators in the sold-out WWK Arena also withstood the scrutiny of the video referee.
Long-runner Donyell Malen (35') equalized after a one-two with Niclas Füllkrug, but missed the tangible decision several times (64', 86', 88'). Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen (88) made a quick reaction save to turn Füllkrug's side-footed shot onto the post shortly before the end.
Terzic is confronted with speculation
The frosty atmosphere at BVB also fueled rumors about Terzic's future. TV pundit Jan Aage Fjörtoft, for example, circulated speculation on the X platform around Dortmund's passionate Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (1:1) that Erik ten Hag, who has been heavily criticized at Manchester United, could become the new coach at Dortmund.
Terzic wanted to know how he could ignore this when asked about it on Sky TV before kick-off. "That's something I can't stop. I can't influence what questions you ask, but I can influence how I deal with them. I'm someone who likes to lead the way. I like to take responsibility and I also like to fight," explained Terzic. What is important to him is what the team and colleagues around him think of him. "And they give me a good feeling," assured Terzic.
After the start of the match was marked by fan protests against the German Football League's investor deal, the Dortmund coach's mood in Augsburg clouded over for the time being. Demirovic robustly beat Schlotterbeck and coolly slotted home to give the home side the lead. An opening pass from Marco Reus to Malen, who bounced the ball to striker Füllkrug, led to the Dutchman equalizing shortly afterwards.
Augsburg striker Phillip Tietz started the second half with three dangerous moves. Although Dortmund had chosen their visit to Swabia to set the tone for the Bundesliga, there was little sign of any real fervor. In the closing stages, chances at both ends caused another murmur in the stands.
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- Despite their impressive performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund struggled in the Bundesliga, drawing 1:1 against FC Augsburg.
- The game saw Augustburg's captain, Ermedin Demirovic, score his eighth goal of the season, while Julian Brandt equalized for Dortmund.
- Brandt admitted that the current situation in Dortmund feels "difficult and forced," with the team struggling to find their form in the Bundesliga.
- After the draw, Dortmund is now ten points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, making their chase for the title seemingly impossible.
- FC Augsburg, who have been more determined for a while, will face VfB Stuttgart in their upcoming game, looking to build on their courageous draw against Dortmund.
- Bayer Leverkusen's Ermedin Demirovic and Augsburg's Niclas Füllkrug were both instrumental in their respective teams' attacks, with Füllkrug providing an assist for Donyell Malen's equalizer.
- In the final minutes, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen made a quick reaction save to deny Füllkrug a decisive goal, preserving their hard-earned point.
- The draw has fueled speculation about Edin Terzic's future as Dortmund's coach, with pundits like Jan Aage Fjörtoft suggesting Erik ten Hag could take over.
- Terzic downplayed the speculation, saying he is focused on what his team and colleagues think of him, and they give him a good feeling.
- In Bavaria, Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen will compete in an exciting match, while VfB Stuttgart will face Schalke 04.
- In the English Premier League, Arsenal's Donyell Malen will hope to help his team maintain their momentum against Manchester City, with Dortmund's Julian Brandt potentially watching closely.
Source: www.stern.de
