Post-Match Report
“The first half was a spectacle; the second was hard work.”
“I would’ve loved it even more if we’d scored one or two more goals. But you have to be satisfied with what you get. It was a great win. The fans created a great atmosphere. It was nice to hear them again. It really gets you excited for the season,” said Gregor Kobel after the season opener in front of 81,365 enthusiastic spectators at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.
“The first half was a spectacle; the second half was a lot of hard work,” Lars Ricken summarized the game. The shot-on-goal tally was 14–0 after 45 minutes, but 6–8 in the second half. “We didn’t quite play the way I’d envisioned. We need to do better there,” Niko Kovac criticized.
BVB Takes a More Offensive Approach
With an “exciting, bold lineup” (Ricken), the coach had responded to the absence of Ramy Bensebaini (bruised ribs) by using a backup at the left center-back position. Since Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can are out for the long term anyway, Kovac had to get creative. To avoid a complete reshuffle, he entrusted Daniel Svensson with this task. The Swede, who has already played this position for the national team, delivered a flawless performance: 90 percent of his passes found a teammate. “It was helpful that we were so dominant in the first half, rather than being under immediate pressure,” said Kobel, adding, “He did a great job.”
That applied – especially in the first, dominant half – to everyone. Everything clicked. General Manager Lars Ricken was pleased that the “focus was on an attacking mindset”: “We saw great combinations and showed that we’re capable of creating something extraordinary.”
A textbook 1–0
Jobe Bellingham set up the 1-0 with a opening vertical pass to Konstantinos Karetsas. And then things moved quickly – too quickly for HSV. Karetsas to Serhou Guirassy, a quick one-two between the two, and then the path was clear for the striker: his 61st goal in his 98th game for BVB.
“With Beier on the left flank, the coach opted for the more offensive approach here as well,” said Ricken – and this decision also paid off in full. Svensson sent the ball forward at the start of stoppage time in the first half; Maximilian Beier broke through on the left wing, spotted Giannis Konstantelias, whose shot was deflected unstoppably by Hamburg’s defensive leader Sebastiaan Bornauw.
“Looking forward to the next home games”
“The coach has shown that we want to play bold, dynamic soccer,” Ricken summarized, adding, “We’ve reaffirmed the positive atmosphere and are looking forward to the next home games.” For the next match on September 8, there’s a great chance to get tickets – especially for “non-season-ticket holders”! Advance ticket sales for the Champions League home game against Villarreal CF begin next Tuesday (Sept. 1, 12 p.m.), first for club members, then for anyone who wants to see the new BVB…
Boris Rupert
Match Report: First a Spectacular Show, Then a Defensive Battle
Reactions: “Perfect first half”
Post-match report: Cheers for Karetsas, Concerns for Konstantelias