Dortmund
manager Edin Tergić apologized to Marco Reus.메이저놀이터
Dortmund recorded a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2022-23 season European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) held at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany at 5 am (Korean time) on the 16th. did.
A fierce battle was expected. The recent flow has been much better for Dortmund. After the World Cup break, he recorded a winning streak in six official matches, scoring 17 goals during this period. On the other hand, Chelsea was in a slump, recording only one win in eight official matches. However, a large number of freshmen came in through the winter transfer market and key players such as Reese James and Ben Chilwell returned to the starting lineup, so better performance could be expected.
Like Signal Iduna Park, which can be called ‘hell’ for the away team, Dortmund led the first half. They were ahead of Chelsea in both possession and number of shots, and pressed hard. Although they suffered a few conceding crises, the overall flow belonged to Dortmund.
This momentum paid off in the second half. In the 18th minute of the second half, Karim Adeyemi, who received a penetrating pass from Rafael Guerreiro, overcame Enzo Fernandez’s pressure, passed Kepa Arrizabalaga, and cut Chelsea’s net with a concise shot. It was a scene that could be said to be the epitome of a counterattack.
After that, Chelsea’s wave attack continued. Chelsea attempted 16 shots in the second half alone, aiming for Dortmund’s net. In the last 20 minutes, the game was almost one-sided. However, it was not possible to break through Dortmund’s solid defense and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel’s divine save.
It was a pleasant victory. However, Tergić apologized after the match. The reason is that Dortmund’s ‘living legend’ Royce was sitting on the bench and not playing. Reus, who can be said to be the heart of Dortmund, has been guarding Signal Iduna Park since entering the 2012-13 season. Many of his teammates, including Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland, stayed with Dortmund even when they left the team. To that extent, Royce was the club’s ‘heart’ itself.
Director Tergić felt sorry for not using him. According to British media ‘The Sun’, he said, “I sincerely apologize to Royce” after the match.
But it was an inevitable choice. “But it’s not just for Reus,” Tergić said. “The other players didn’t come out either. He has to respect this choice.”