The Daily Bee: Watzke Lambastes BVB’s Defensive Effort Against Hertha

Welcome to the winter break, everyone! I hope you’re all getting ready to spend a long holiday season away from anything remotely related to Borussia Dortmund. With how the season ended, I’m sure we could all use a mental break from all things soccer, before we naively get our hopes up again for a run at the Europa League.

BVB’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke does have a tendency to run his mouth to the press, and over the last few days he has been especially vocal on a number of topics. He seemed particularly displeased with BVB’s performance against Hertha on Saturday. He was surprisingly singular in his criticisms, pointing specifically to the backup players on the back line:

This is not a good morning. We don’t have to downplay that. If you lose a game like this where you lead at halftime and then play badly, it’s not a good morning...

... but the 1:1, oh my god. That would not have happened with our normal defense, with Manuel Akanji, Mats Hummels, Raphael Guerreiro and Gregor Kobel. Four fifths of the defense failed.

That reference to the 1:1 is a not-so-subtle jab at Axel Witsel, who was completely destroyed by Ishak Belfodil on that particular play. While I don’t think Watzke’s criticisms are wrong per se, they’re not the type of things I think he should be saying to the press. Axel Witsel is likely on his way out so maybe he just doesn’t care anymore, but if I were him I would not be happy to read this quote in the news or on social media after a game.

Watzke Confirms Real Madrid Interest in Haaland

There are, of course, many clubs that are currently interested in Borussia Dortmund. One club that has been making a lot of noise over recent days is Real Madrid. It’s not just hearsay and rumor, either: Hans-Joachim Watzke himself has confirmed that Real Madrid are interested in Haaland. The fact that Watzke confirmed this means that the two clubs have most likely had some kind of discussion over a potential transfer fee in the winter.

If BVB know that Haaland wants to leave over the Summer, they would have to seriously consider selling him in the winter, before his reported release clause kicks in. However, they would also have to weigh the monetary gain from that against the possibility of suffering in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal, and the Europa League if they do so.

Of course, it isn’t even confirmed yet if Haaland will leave at all. According to his agent, Mino Raiola, Haaland may decide to stay in Dortmund another year.

The Daily Buzz

Do you think that Watzke’s comments are out of line?