Knauff knows very well what awaits the eagle bearers on site. From 2018 to 2022 he played for Dortmund, went through several youth teams and made his first professional appearances for the black and yellow team. The 22-year-old is aware: “It will definitely be a difficult game. But we did very well in the first half of the season. If we bring what we do onto the pitch [gegen Hoffenheim, Anm. d. Red.] “If we have done well, then we have a good chance of winning against Dortmund.” Timothy Chandler emphasizes: “We have to keep going.”
That’s exactly what the host doesn’t want. Because BVB suffered their third defeat at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK 2023/24 in their last home appearance with a 2-3 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim. In addition, BVB have already conceded 18 goals in front of their home crowd. After twelve home games in a round, the last time they conceded more was 19 goals in 1981/82. Contrary to the record that Eintracht won only one of the last twelve duels in the former Westfalenstadion with a 2-1 win in April 2021, Robin Koch makes it clear: “We are going there to win!”
Review: Football festival without a winner
Head coach Dino Toppmöller’s conclusion after the wild 3:3 in the first half of the season spoke volumes: “We saw a fantastic football game. Lots of thrilling duels, lots of chances to score, tension right to the end.” After 24 minutes, Eintracht led 2-0 thanks to Omar Marmoush’s goal from a hand penalty and a dust-off – when BVB substitute keeper Alexander Meyer took the Egyptian off his feet, there was even a penalty can give for the home team. However, this was denied to the home team.
Instead, Dortmund struck. Marcel Sabitzer reduced the deficit in injury time in the first half and Youssoufa Moukoko equalized. In return, Willian Pacho set up Farès Chaibi, who put the ball into the left corner of the goal and gave Eintracht the lead again. Julian Brandt made the final score eight minutes before the end. A football festival without a winner in Deutsche Bank Park.
Götze Factor
In the 3-1 win against TSG Hoffenheim, he scored a goal and closed the bag himself. It was the first time since February 2019 that Mario Götze recorded two scorer points in a game – back then in the BVB jersey, also against Hoffenheim.
The 31-year-old played a key role in the SGE’s last two home wins: Götze also scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win against Mainz at the end of January. Accordingly, the midfield strategist is now traveling to the club with which he won two championships and two DFB Cups.
Be vigilant in the final phase
In BVB’s last three Bundesliga games, one person always scored: Donyell Malen. He and Niclas Füllkrug have scored 22 of BVB’s 50 goals so far. By the winter break, both offensive forces scored five times each, and in the 2024 calendar year, Malen and Füllkrug can each score six goals apiece.
In general, however, danger is imminent in all field areas. 15 different players have so far networked for the runner-up. This is also the third-best value in the German top flight, as is the rate of 16 corners per goal – eight goals were scored this way. The guests have not been able to do the latter at all this league season. In one statistic, however, the traditional clubs meet on equal terms: five goals each conceded in the final quarter of an hour is the third fewest of all clubs. So: what are you waiting for – full speed ahead!
2024-03-13 08:00:02
#Preview #Promise
