Returnee Sancho is immediately important
BVB simply handles harmless Darmstadt residents
January 13, 2024, 8:27 p.m
The first step out of the Bundesliga crisis has been taken: Borussia Dortmund starts the winter break with a win. At Darmstadt 98, BVB relies on its new arrivals, who have a direct share in the success. Unlike Niklas Süle, who sits on the bench despite personnel problems.
Returnee Jadon Sancho grinned broadly and hugged his friend Marco Reus. He did this at the final whistle – as he had done before after assisting the goal to make it 2-0. “Since I’ve been back, I’ve felt at home,” enthused Sancho at the Bundesliga microphone. That he served Reus of all people, like his last assist in the summer of 2021? “That’s probably how it should be.” But even if the longed-for BVB comeback of the “difference player” Sancho was successful after difficult years at Manchester United: Borussia Dortmund did not cover itself with glory despite the clear 3-0 (1-0) win at the bottom of the Bundesliga, Darmstadt 98.
The opponent was too harmless and the Black and Yellows’ efforts seemed too bumpy. “This won’t be a game that I will remember in ten years. It wasn’t a feast for the eyes,” said Julian Brandt, scorer of the opening goal (24th), on Sky: “The ball was gone very quickly in the first 15 Minutes. We took the lead out of nowhere. In the course of the second half, the Darmstadt team were flat, then the chances came.”
“It felt like a cup game”
The eye-catching Jadon Sancho warms Youssoufa Moukoko, the goalscorer to make it 3-0.
(Photo: IMAGO/Jan Huebner)
Reus, who came on as a substitute with Sancho after 55 minutes, used one of them in the 77th minute. “It felt like a cup game. It was a work victory,” said Reus, who became a father for the second time on Friday. Sancho is “a difference player,” enthused the former BVB captain: “I really enjoy playing with him.” Youssoufa Moukoko (90+2), who was also substituted, marked the final score. Thanks to the threesome, Dortmund shortened the gap to the coveted Champions League places; before the short winter break, Borussia had remained winless in four games in a row. Darmstadt has now been waiting for success for ten games, and the Lilies face a mammoth task in the second half of the season in the fight to stay in the league.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic had to rebuild his team at short notice. Mats Hummels was missing due to an infection. Somewhat surprisingly, Emre Can moved into central defense alongside Nico Schlotterbeck. There was only one place left for Niklas Süle on the bench. Meanwhile, new signing Ian Maatsen made his debut as a left-back and was impressive. In front of 17,810 spectators at the sold-out Böllenfalltor, the hosts had a surprising number of possession phases at the beginning. BVB acted surprisingly cautiously. However, coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team lacked the means to seriously endanger the guests.
BVB keeper Kobel has to make a strong save
BVB took offense for the first time in the 20th minute. After a cross from the committed Maatsen, Brandt was denied by Marcel Schuhen, who reacted well. Four minutes later, the 98-year-old goalkeeper was powerless on his 31st birthday. After a strong individual performance from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Brandt didn’t hit the ball fully, but it rolled into the net. The guests had more control of the game after taking the lead, but they left a lot to be desired in terms of play. That’s why the new assistant coach Nuri Sahin appeared next to Terzic on the sidelines and gave instructions with lots of gestures.
Darmstadt continued to have a lot of trouble in attacking, only becoming dangerous six minutes before the break. Tim Skarke put the ball over the goal. The hosts remained snappy and hard-working even after the change. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had no trouble with Luca Pfeiffer’s shot (49′). Terzic then reacted quickly to his team’s lame performance and brought on former captain Reus and Sancho, who was on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, after ten minutes in the second half. Sancho then almost had to witness the equalizer on the field. But Kobel parried Pfeiffer’s misplaced header from close range (64′). But then Sancho made an exemplary pass to Reus, who had no trouble.