For Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, the preparation of his team for the Bundesliga top game at FC Bayern Munich has become more complicated due to the change of coach at the German record champions.
"Of course that changes a bit in preparing for opponents," said Terzic in Dortmund. "Due to the change of coach, you don't know exactly to what extent Thomas Tuchel will build on what Julian Nagelsmann has played in the past few weeks or whether he will bring in a completely new idea."
Bayern parted ways with coach Nagelsmann a week ago and signed Tuchel as his successor. Before the eagerly awaited summit meeting of the two best German soccer teams this Saturday (6.30 p.m. / Sky), FCB is one point behind BVB in second place in the Bundesliga table. "What hasn't changed is that they continue to have a top coach on the bench and a top team on the pitch," said Terzic.
Extremely optimistic
Despite the difficult preparation, the Dortmund coach is optimistic about the game with his team, who were unbeaten in the second half of the season. "What makes me optimistic is the energy that we have developed over the past few weeks and months. This energy, to be there for one another and to play for one another: we want to take that with us."
Also with a view to the past few years, in which there was nothing for Dortmund to get in Munich, Terzic said: "We can send a signal to ourselves and to the competition. We also want to show that we are different than in recent years ." BVB's last win to date in the Bundesliga in Munich was nine years ago.
BVB with Brandt to Bayern
BVB can fall back on numerous returnees against Bayern. In contrast to the 6-1 win over 1. FC Köln last matchday, coach Terzic's regular keeper Gregor Kobel, attacking man Julian Brandt, midfielder Salih Özcan and the two strikers Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko are available again. In addition, national player Emre Can returns to the team after a yellow card suspension.
The chances of playing defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who was injured last, and offensive player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are still open. "We'll look at both of them again today in the final training session to see who's coming to Munich," said Terzic. Dortmund have to do without offensive man Gio Reyna and winger Thomas Meunier. Reyna has a cold, Meunier has back problems.
