It’s moments like this that will always be remembered, which makes Borussia Dortmund’s Südtribüne so special: the heartfelt emotion.

image

As the team’s fans were celebrating a brilliant performance against FC Cologne as well as their place in the German Cup final three days previously, Neven Subotic made his way to the Südtribüne, past the BVB players, accompanied by applause from his ex-colleagues. “We are all Dortmunders” was the cry from the largest standing tribune in Europe. Subotic took a bow in front of it and symbolically tipped his hat.

“When you are able to experience such a moment you can count yourself extremely lucky,” the on-loan Cologne player said later to sky. “The eight and a half years I spent in Dortmund were a fortune and a blessing. To get their appreciation again today for all of the work that I put in, the unforgettable moments that we celebrated together and also the sad ones that brought us closer together, it’s a bond that will still be there 100 years from now.” He added: “I remember Dede and Kloppo who were so adored here. A huge thank you to the fans! That cannot be overstated. I’m simply appreciating the moment”.

According to Gonzalo Castro, the standing ovation of the Südtribüne for Subotic was “well deserved”. “Him and Mats Hummels at centre-back was an unbelievable pair.” That Subotic cleared Ousmane Dembélé’s shot in extra-time to prevent a Dortmund victory was, for Matthias Ginter, part of “the story that can only be written by football”. 

(br)

BVB total!-Video: Neven Subotic interview