The Champions League false start at Lazio Rome in the back of the head, the Revierderby against Schalke 04 in front of the chest, a corona infection at Emre Can as a mortgage – and to top it all, BVB coach Lucien Favre also has an unnecessary construction site on the goalkeeper Position opened.
Already at the 1: 3 in Rome, against which he could do little himself, Marwin Hitz was a bit surprising instead of the actual regular keeper Roman Bürki in the box of Borussia Dortmund.
For the Pott hit against Schalke, it is still completely open who BVB coach Favre will give preference – and thus plenty of room for discussion. (Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund – FC Schalke 04 from 6.30 p.m. in LIVETICKER)
The CHECK24 one-two pass with Ewald Lienen, Cacau and Sascha Riether on Sunday from 11 a.m. on TV on SPORT1
Bürki slowed down by muscular problems and a cold
One thing is clear: the problem is not just homemade. Bürki had had minor muscular problems since the beginning of September, so Hitz was allowed to run in the DFB Cup against MSV Duisburg on September 14 and kept his chest clean in the 5-0 win against the third division team.
After that, however, the number 1 was fit again and took over in the Bundesliga against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3: 0) and FC Augsburg (0: 2). Only then did Bürki suffer from a severe cold that lasted for five days. Therefore, he fell out both in the Supercup against FC Bayern (0: 3) and for the game against SC Freiburg (4: 0), Hitz took over again. (Service: Bundesliga schedule & results)
Hitz against Lazio surprisingly in goal
The fact that Bürki did not play against TSG Hoffenheim on October 17th was a bit of a surprise – with a view to the upcoming English Weeks and the tough program, the measure was still understandable for many observers.
Why Favre also decided against the undisputed number 1 of the past few years at Lazio raises more questions.
Because: In the past three weeks since October 5th, Bürki has to SPORT1-Information participated in almost every training session, even fully trained during the international break. So he was fully in the juice and theoretically could have played against Hoffenheim, but at the latest against Rome.
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Hitz instead of Bürki – but no real reason
What is also astonishing: After SPORT1-Information, Favre had given neither Hitz nor Bürki a correct reason for the keeper change until Friday.
The trainer never spoke to either of the Swiss compatriots about this. With Michael Zorc (sports director) and Sebastian Kehl (head of the licensed player department), the sports management of BVB was not informed why Bürki suddenly stopped playing.
Favre has never justified or communicated his decision properly to the outside world. At the press conference before the Schalke game, the Swiss only said: “Roman was a little sick and injured. He missed the cup game and an away game in the Bundesliga.”
BVB keepers have a good relationship
It is also a fact: Both keepers, whose personal relationship is good, have their strengths. (Service: table of the Bundesliga)
Bürki scores with a strong control of the penalty area, is also good at one-on-one and also holds the unsustainable. In contrast to the past, when the Swiss national goalkeeper made a mistake or two for points of attack, he was recently undisputed.
Hitz, who was number 1 at FC Augsburg for years before moving to BVB, is very respected by Dortmund teammates, very communicative and loudly directs his defense.
The 33-year-old also always did his job well as a representative of Bürki, who was four years his junior – it is possible that Favre therefore relied on him, especially since the BVB defense was badly damaged, especially in Rome without Manuel Akanji, Emre Can and Dan-Axel Zagadou was. And while Hitz looked at least unhappy at the own goal to make it 2-0, Bürki also wobbled a bit in the 2-0 draw against Augsburg.
Bürki or Hitz – who will play in the derby against Schalke?
One of the biggest questions before the BVB vs. So Schalke stays: Who is Favre betting on in goal? Internally, those responsible at BVB assume that regular keeper Bürki will be allowed to play again.
However, Favre did not allow himself to be carried away to make a clear statement at the PK, merely stated: “We will see. I cannot say more.” Once again, the impression remained that he could have moderated the topic better.
And one thing is certain: If there is heat in the goal again against S04, the goalkeeper discussion at BVB is finally sparked.
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