It becomes a habit. Or almost. Season after season, Borussia Dortmund never manages to experience an exercise without turbulence. Like last year, the crisis occurred in November, in the middle of the international break. The defeat against Stuttgart last weekend (2-1) does not really go down internally. And it’s already the second of the season after 11 days in the Bundesliga, but the second in a row following the slap received against Bayern Munich (4-0). The club in 5th place already has 8 points from Bayern Munich and 10 from the leader, Bayer Leverkusen. An almost irremediable gap that is starting to worry internally.
“We wanted to learn from last season. In one week, we worsened our situation in the standings with two defeats. It happened to us again.” lamented Edin Terzic after the defeat against VfB. A trainer who is no longer unanimous. 3rd for his first year, 2nd last May when the title was in his arms, he is increasingly being called into question by his management. He is failing to build a coherent team, without much identity either and failing in both areas, despite the very good performances of Gregor Kobel in goals and an excellent Julian Brandt (4 goals and 4 assists in 11 meetings) in front.
Fullkrug publicly criticizes Terzic
Bild even lists the many problems at the club. In addition to Terzic, whose tactical limitations are on full display, the German daily highlights the failures that occurred during the last transfer window. The departures of Jude Bellingham and Raphaël Guerreiro have left a big void. Felix Nmecha (€30 million) and Marcel Sabitzer (€15 million) are still struggling to get up to speed, just like Ramy Bensebaini (free). The choices of Sebastian Kehl, the sporting director, are therefore called into question especially as the other players targeted this summer but who did not come like Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface and Álex Grimaldo all shine with Bayer Leverkusen.
Some members of the BvB leak to the press that a new coach is quickly desired, while Hans-Joachim Watzke, the general director, has always supported his coach. Even the locker room is starting to crack. Niclas Füllkrug did not hesitate to criticize Terzic’s choices after the defeat against Stuttgart. “We didn’t have the perfect approach to play today (last Saturday, editor’s note). VfB played a little differently than usual. They caused us a lot of problems.”, assured the attacker. Words not at all appreciated by his coach. “I only accept them to a certain extent (Füllkrug’s reproaches, editor’s note). With the same team, we proved a few days ago (against Newcastle in C1) that we could do things differently. It’s a crisis on all levels.
