Just one point despite a numerical advantage for more than 60 minutes of the game, two players injured, one of whom had only just made his comeback after a layoff of seven weeks: there are probably better days in the life of a football manager. Peter Bosz stated firmly as a consequence: "We are disappointed. Dortmund must win when we play in Freiburg." His entire team felt the same way. Now is the time to channel this disappointment, for Tottenham Hotspur lie in wait this Wednesday already.

For, in the first match of the Champions League group phase, BVB have the opportunity to exorcise the "not completely satisfactory" result against Freiburg from their minds, and quickly so, according to Michael Zorc, even if the job in London is by no means an easy one. The opposition at Wembley Stadium are probably more closely matched with BVB, given SC Freiburg played so defensively after having had a man sent off at the end of a very rough, if tactically extremely disciplined, opening half an hour, that almost any team would have had great difficulty scoring a goal. Spurs are very unlikely to play in this fashion come the middle of the week.

Spurs represent a closer match for BVB

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At the end of the day, the Englishmen also want to achieve something in the UEFA Champions League, and certainly want to give a good account of themselves in a difficult group with Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, and APOEL Nicosia. Tottenham lie fifth in the table after matchday four in the English Premier League having effortlessly played Everton off the park to win 3-0. They have already scored seven times so far this season. They have scored at least once in every game, even in their defeat to Chelsea in their second game of the season. Park the bus like SC Freiburg? It is not Spurs' style. And that should suit BVB.

When the opposition attempt to get forward themselves, then they will leave space open behind them, space in which Peter Bosz's team will certainly feel comfortable playing their lightning quick attacks and counterattacks. The possibility that a similar type of game as the one in Freiburg will unfold in London is incredibly unlikely. It is quite astounding that a red card for Sport-Club, something which should have been advantageous for BVB, actually strengthened the hosts' hand, since Freiburg could simply focus all their attention on defending. No-one expected the men from Breisgau to try and play quickly on the break anymore.

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Whether Marc Bartra will be able to play on Wednesday is doubtful at the least. The Spaniard was complaining of an adductor problem. The hope remains that his removal after little more than a quarter of an hour came soon enough. For Marcel Schmelzer, however, participation looks to be as good as completely ruled out. Ravet met with his foot that had only just healed. Schmelzer spoke of "excruciating pain". A full diagnosis should emerge sometime on Sunday. Fingers crossed, then, that the captain's injury is not as bad as feared.

BVB remain at the top of the table!

At least the 0-0 in Freiburg didn't lead to the cataclysmic consequences that might have originally been dreaded, since, despite the justified sense of disappointment, it was not a defeat! After taking a point, BVB still remain at the head of the table at the end of matchday three after FC Bayern lost on Saturday evening. The Black and Yellows remain the only team in the division that are yet to concede a goal. Furthermore, one of the long term injured players, Julian Weigl, made his comeback on Saturday with the U23s in order to get some game-time. There are plenty of reasons to be cheerful and self-confident as such going into the games against Tottenham and FC Cologne.
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich