Expressing his thoughts, manager Edin Terzic emphasized the obligation for his Borussia Dortmund team to retaliate in the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, following setbacks in the initial encounter.
After suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund found themselves trailing as poor individual errors allowed Atletico to secure a 2-0 advantage within the first 30 minutes.
Despite a comeback effort that resulted in Sebastien Haller scoring to narrow the gap, Dortmund will miss the presence of the striker in the upcoming clash due to injury.
Terzic acknowledged that Atletico had capitalized on Dortmund’s mistakes with precision, but he remains confident in his team’s ability to reverse the situation in front of their home crowd at the 81,500-seat Westfalenstadion, known for its infamous ‘Yellow Wall’ south stand.
“Stepping onto the field in front of this stadium for warm-up brings a sense of responsibility to give your all and showcase your best performance,” remarked Terzic during the media session.
He continued, “The atmosphere is unparalleled. The stadium is consistently packed, and it has been a source of support for us on numerous occasions over the years.”
“Before we finalize any transfers, we engage with the players and endeavor to illustrate the significance of representing Borussia Dortmund in this stadium.
“A positive outcome against Atletico is imperative, and we are confident that our fans are eager to contribute to that success and create a vibrant atmosphere.
“Hence, it is our intention to reciprocate their support.”
‘Setting the Tone’
The 1997 champions aspire to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013 when they faced a defeat against arch-rivals Bayern Munich in the Wembley final, managed by Jurgen Klopp.
Nonetheless, Dortmund has faced challenges in delivering under pressure on their home ground in recent events.
During the previous season’s final matchday, Dortmund missed out on clinching the Bundesliga title as they settled for a 2-2 draw at home against lower-ranked Mainz, ultimately conceding the title to Bayern.
In an event held earlier this April to observe the stadium’s 50th anniversary, Dortmund encountered a 1-0 loss to third-placed Stuttgart.
Sitting beside Terzic, Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt played down the notion that the largest football stadium in Germany, when filled with fervent supporters, could instill intimidation within the home team.
Brandt shared, “If I were to choose, I would always opt for the atmosphere experienced against Stuttgart or Mainz. The atmosphere in Dortmund is unmatched.
“It is unique. As a player, you never have to doubt the backing of the fans.”
Following the first leg, much of the post-match discussion revolved around a touchline confrontation between Atletico manager Diego Simeone and Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who had a heated exchange after an injury to Atletico captain Emre Can.
Addressing this incident, Brandt commented, “While we can anticipate such scenarios, our focus should not dwell on that.
“Staying composed, patient, and primarily concentrated are essential. Our victory against Atletico should be achieved through our performance on the pitch, not through verbal disputes on the sidelines.”
AFP