BWhen checking in at Dortmund Airport, everything pointed to a completely normal business trip at first glance. A handful of autograph hunters said goodbye to the pros from Borussia Dortmund, for whom European Cup games are something like business as usual. BVB has competed in the Champions League nine times in the past ten years and once in the Europa League.
But the trip to the Glasgow Rangers, against which coach Marco Rose’s team has to fight on Thursday (9 p.m. / RTL and in the WELT live ticker) to get into the round of 16 of the Europa League, feels somehow different – almost a little like a farewell trip. Because BVB is not only fighting against a 2:4 (0:2) deficit and 50,000 fanatical Rangers fans – BVB, which still has to do without the injured striker Erling Haaland, is also fighting for his in the sold-out Ibrox Stadium international reputation.
In the first leg, BVB went down against Glasgow
Quelle: Getty Images/Martin Rose
The first leg a week ago was an atmospheric low point in the club’s recent history. A disgrace of the first order, brought about by a “shameful achievement”, as Michael Zorc put it. If the team “has balls, they’ll turn it in the second leg,” the sporting director had demanded.
The accusation of not being a leader
Zorc did not personalize his criticism. That would not have been appropriate given the collective failure. Nevertheless: A Dortmunder symbolized the disaster – Marco Reus. The captain hadn’t succeeded at first and then, at least that’s how it seemed, he didn’t even try anymore. He went underground and thus confirmed his critics. Reus is not a leading player, is the accusation that the 32-year-old offensive player has often been made – but it never seemed as justified as exactly a week ago.
Reus delivered an outstanding performance in the 6-0 win against Gladbach
Source: AP/Martin Meissner
But then Sunday came – and suddenly there was a completely different Reus on the pitch. BVB Borussia Mönchengladbach shot out of the stadium 6-0 (2-0). Reus scored two goals and prepared three more goals. No one has managed to score five points in the current Bundesliga season. Only three days after the low point, Reus embodied everything that many had so often missed in him: he was wide awake and quick-witted, brilliant in attack and tried hard defensively. If there was anything to criticize or praise about the other players, he would raise his voice. If there was something to regulate – for example who takes a penalty – Reus regulated it. “He was our captain,” said Rose after the final whistle. Nothing to add.
However, because his performance curve often ran in waves, it could not be assumed that his critics would give up. “Marco Reus is struggling with himself and has no consistency. And such players should lead a team? Difficult,” said record national player Lothar Matthäus on “Sky.” Reus smiled at the criticism a little tormented. He didn’t want to talk about himself, preferring to talk about the team. “We had to show a reaction again, we did it,” he said. This time the team implemented the coach’s instructions and played “with energy”. Now we have to work on calling this up permanently and showing the same attitude “when there are setbacks in a game.” Everything else and especially “what is said outside should ignore us.”
BVB professionals with many form fluctuations
Reus had also said something like this before. And then, often enough, he failed to keep his promise. There are many reasons why the Dortmund season has been a roller coaster with countless ups and downs.
There are individual form fluctuations of different players, a general tendency to carelessness and also a certain quality problem: Especially in the defensive area, some players have speed deficits. This makes the defense vulnerable, especially after losing the ball. But it also has something to do with Reus, Matthew is right. Because when he is particularly needed because things are not going well for the team, he is usually simply not to be seen.
Born in Dortmund, he had never heard of the lute anyway. In 2012 he was brought back to BVB from Mönchengladbach. Five years later he became captain. Behind this decision was more the desire to make the best player a figurehead than Reus’ suitability for the post. Reus is not someone who is keen to lead others. Because he’s pretty much the opposite of an “Aggressive Leader,” he had no choice but to try to set an example with good performance.
He often succeeded in doing this. Especially last season, when BVB fought its way into the Champions League with a remarkable final sprint, the 48-time national player was stronger than he had been for a long time. He was the linchpin of the offensive, he scored on each of the last three matchdays. He played one of the best games of his career when he won the DFB Cup, beating RB Leipzig 4-1. He then gave up participating in the European Championship. He wanted to focus on BVB. The start of the season was also promising – but then it gradually slipped back into the old rut: sometimes it was brilliant, sometimes it didn’t happen. Doubts about him grew.
Captain Marco Reus lifts the DFB Cup
Quelle: pa/dpa/Getty Images-Pool/Martin Rose
Reus recently stated that he could well imagine extending his contract with BVB, which runs until 2023. There was no response from the club. A few years ago, the office would have cheered loudly for such a statement. In the meantime, according to the information from WELT, the club wants to keep an eye on Reus’ future – it should be seen what its performance will look like in spring 2023, i.e. immediately before the contract expires. Behind this is at least the consideration of whether he is now also a stumbling block for the further development of the team.
Reus wants to show that he’s a good captain
One thing is clear: Reus has slowed down over the years. The many injuries he has sustained have taken their toll. It is also clear: With his skills, his anticipation, he is still one of the best German offensive players. He also has a long history with BVB.
In terms of football, Marco Reus no longer has to prove anything to anyone. But he wants to show that he is a good captain after all. He is convinced that something can still go for BVB at Rangers. “It’s going to be a do-or-die game,” he said. For him, that is an unusually martial choice of words.