Isak thrives in Newcastle
Retired striker is a major concern for BVB
October 25, 2023, 8:55 a.m
Things have been looking up for BVB in the Bundesliga for weeks. This fuels belief in a turnaround in the Champions League too. A lot of passion is required in the Newcastle cauldron. A striker retired in Dortmund could all but take BVB out of the competition.
Retired in Dortmund, celebrated in Newcastle: in the third group game in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN and in the live ticker on ntv.de) BVB will see Alexander Isak again. The Swede, who was considered unhelpful at Borussia after two years and was therefore initially loaned out to the Dutch first division club Willem II Tilburg in January 2019, enjoys the highest status at Newcastle United.
BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl did not accept the accusation of having misjudged the talent before the flight to England: “With us he wasn’t at this level yet and had this impact. In terms of timing, perhaps it wasn’t the moment for him To be able to give him enough match practice and to develop him further.”
Jadon Sancho, Alexander Isak and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (from left) in January 2018.
(Photo: picture alliance / nordphoto)
Only after the end of the loan deal with Tilburg and his permanent move to Real Sociedad in Spain did the now 24-year-old really blossom. “He took a small step back and then a huge step forward. Alex always had huge potential, you could see that with us,” commented Kehl. With strong performances in Spain, he aroused the interest of the English team, who lead the table in the difficult Group F with a three-point lead over BVB.
Isak is happy
Since the transfer to Newcastle in August 2022 for a reported 70 million euros, things have continued to look up for the 1.93-meter-tall Schlacks. Isak has already scored six goals in eight Premier League games this season. The attacker celebrated his comeback after recovering from a knee injury against Crystal Palace (4-0) at the weekend when he came on as a substitute in the 70th minute. It is unlikely that he will be back in the starting line-up against his former club from Dortmund. “He is in impressive form and has made great development. I am happy for him,” said Kehl.
A later substitution could also be very painful for BVB. Borussia, who are still unbeaten in the league, must avoid defeat in Newcastle, which has had a twin city relationship with Gelsenkirchen since 1948. Otherwise, the runner-up in the Bundesliga is threatened with an early exit from the narrow group. “We have eaten a bit of food,” commented Sebastian Kehl, full of hope for a turnaround in favor of BVB. The sports director expects a passionate duel with a lot of noise from the stands and a lot of passion on the pitch: “It’s going to be really exciting.”
With all due respect to the up-and-coming “Magpies”, who are supported by Saudi Arabia, the anticipation of the bubbling St. James’ Park outweighs the anticipation of the fourth-place team in the Bundesliga. “The atmosphere there is crazy,” enthused goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, “this is a disgusting team that always gives full throttle.” The former Liverpool professional (2014 to 2018) and current BVB captain Emre Can knows from his own experience what Borussia expects in Newcastle: “It won’t be easy to play football there. But we are Dortmund, we have to be broad-chested “Go there and try to win the game.”
Terzić wants to stay true to the new BVB style
After the 2-0 draw in Paris and the 0-0 draw against AC Milan, Borussia’s senses should be sharpened. “This is the next competition in which we want to do something good,” said coach Edin Terzić, pointing out the small gap: “They are first, but only three points away from us. You can see how close everything is in this group together” in the group that is considered difficult.” The new philosophy (“less sexy, more success”) announced by the football teacher after the game against Bremen (1-0) should also help in Newcastle to close the gap in the table However, the short-term absence of full-back Julian Ryerson, who is ill and is known to be a strong fighter, will make the task more difficult. The coach left it open as to who should replace him: “Now someone else will have the chance to show how important he is for our team.”
“We saw what Newcastle are capable of against Paris,” warned Terzić, referring to the English team’s clear 4-1 win in their last home game, when coach Eddie Howe’s team defeated the star ensemble from France around Kylian, who were considered group favorites Mbappé demonstrated at times.