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Tuchel’s return is peaceful: Emre Can disciplines capricious BVB


The return of former coach Thomas Tuchel to BVB could not have been more conciliatory. However, sporting sobering is hardly likely. His PSG ensemble is desperate for the force of Erling Haaland and the bossiness of Emre Can.

About half an hour after the tactical, but ultimately turbulent Champions League encounter between Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and French series champion Paris Saint-Germain had been whistled, Thomas Tuchel entered the media room of the Dortmund stadium. The trainer looked relaxed, slim and slim as ever, the black turtleneck naturally fit perfectly.

Tuchel spoke with great ease and in the best French. He answered all the questions of the reporters from his adopted home with playful ease. Whoever tried to make out signs of tension or even depression in the facial expressions and gestures of the 46-year-old Swabian could not find what they were looking for. The man was calm, and that was remarkable in two ways: First, his star ensemble, which was supported by the billionaire Qatar investor, lost the first knockout round at Borussia Dortmund in front of 66,000 visitors in the sold-out stadium with 1: 2 (0: 0), and secondly it was not just any soccer game, but a return to the old place of work.

BVB – PSG 2: 1 (0: 0)

Gates: 1-0 Haaland (69th), 1-1 Neymar (75th), 2-1 Haaland (77th)
Borussia Dortmund: Bürki – Piszczek, Hummels, Zagadou – Hakimi, Can, Witsel, Guerreiro – Sancho (90th Schmelzer), Hazard (67th Reyna) – Haaland. – Trainer: Favre
Paris St. Germain: Navas – Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Thiago Silva – Meunier, Gueye, Verratti, Kurzawa – Di Maria (77th Sarabia), Mbappe, Neymar. – Trainer: Tuchel
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Spectator: 66,099 (sold out)

But it wasn’t worth mentioning that late evening. Tuchel lectured confidently and calmly about the appearance of his team and limited himself to the technical excursus. “Too little physicality, too little possession of the ball, too many mistakes”, he had made out with his ensemble, “we currently lack the toughness of the competition”.

Before the kick-off, the coach had provided detailed information about how he perceived the reunion with the club from which he had divorced three years ago: he had noticed “many familiar faces, many relaxed faces”. No bad word, no dirty laundry, everything relaxed. The former adversary Hans-Joachim Watzke also did not want to pour oil on the fire, even if the BVB boss remarked before the game started that “in this life you will probably no longer be great friends”. This is not necessary either, respectful treatment is sufficient. After the game ended, the managing director of the listed football company emphasized that he had “said a hundred times that Tuchel is a very good coach. We had a time together, then we parted ways. There is nothing to add.”

The next records for Haaland

The harmony between the district club and the former trainer was so great that all observers could confidently turn to the sporting events. And that was not to be scoffed at that evening under floodlights. After the respect with two opponents peppered with so many offensive top-class players was so great for a long time that both teams neutralized each other, the game picked up a lot in the last half hour.

Once again Erling Haaland was responsible for the fact that a real spectacle was still to be admired. The 19-year-old Norwegian has been and remains a phenomenon since he joined BVB during the winter break. In the Bundesliga, the teenager broke all records, and in the premier class, the super talent from Salzburg pulverized all the best records: Haaland marked his goals nine and ten against Paris, setting a new Champions League record. So many goals in the first seven matches, all the Messis, Ronaldos and Neymars can only bow in awe. And something footballer hadn’t succeeded before, at least not at BVB. Haaland scored in all competitions – league, cup and premier class – in their first game.

At the first goal, the Norwegian stuck the ball over the line, the second he thrust into the net so brilliantly from 20 meters that the spectators freaked out in the stands. This boy has “fun and an uncanny will”, says his boss Watzke: “This is a real goal-getter, we are glad that we have him.”

In addition to the incredible Erling Haaland, they landed a second coup at Borussia during the winter break, which deserves a closer look: Emre Can was initially loaned out by Juventus and finally committed to PSG immediately before kick-off to help a well-behaved team to implement more physicality and aggressive attitude. This project seems to be working out well. Within a few weeks, the national team in the district has become a leading player on which colleagues can stand up.

Axel Witsel, who is actually supposed to be the boss in defensive midfield, has recently emphasized how well he feels at the side of the new leader. The Belgian immediately subordinated himself, Can now sets the tone in the defensive midfield. And after the victory against Paris, he confidently set the route for the return leg: “It is only half time, it will be extremely difficult. But we can do it if we all stick together and defend together.” It seems that Borussia Dortmund has finally found the long-sought man who can convey to this capricious team that successful football not only has to be played but also worked.

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