Now a very crucial game awaits: the 2nd round of the DFB Cup at Mainz 05 on October 30th. Should Bayern actually be eliminated there and thus lose the first possible title of the season, then discussions about Kompany will gain significant momentum. This game is the most important for the German record champions until the end of the year. It’s not just about keeping the triple dream alive. It’s also about maintaining the mood and atmosphere within the club and not letting any unrest arise. The rest of the season depends on this.
At Borussia Dortmund, too, the focus is now on the coach. After the 2:5 at Real Madrid, it was quickly claimed that Nuri Şahin had miscoached himself with the changes and substitutions he made. It is a difficult situation in which other factors must be taken into account.
Because when Şahin is accused, it is forgotten that there were eleven players on the pitch who had to fulfill their tasks. With a 2-0 lead in Madrid, it’s generally important to secure your own goal instead of playing further forward, going for the third or even fourth goal and therefore being vulnerable defensively. Especially with perhaps the strongest team in the world, which can always step up a gear at home – VfB Stuttgart had to learn that the hard way weeks ago.
But if the required players can’t do what is expected, then the conclusion is that BVB simply couldn’t get into the duels and had no chance to break free. And that’s also up to the team. Şahin should now ask himself: Did the players I brought in do what I expected from them? That must be his analysis now.
But I still have to say it: Everything is still very shaky at BVB. It was already a close affair last weekend with a 2-1 win against St. Pauli, but now they have had a good time in Europe – albeit at Real Madrid. It’s never constant, never dominant, which Dortmund shows, but far too changeable. Now they have to be careful that they don’t lose touch with the top group nationally in November.