He hopes Bayern’s go to will present the spark for his aspect to avoid wasting their season
Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in motion. Picture: AFP/File
DORTMUND:
With the ache of a crushing Champions League exit nonetheless uncooked, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel hopes Bayern Munich’s high-stakes go to on Saturday will present the spark for his aspect to avoid wasting their season.
After a 2-0 first-leg win the 2024 Champions League runners-up appeared set for the final 16, however Dortmund unravelled midweek in Bergamo and crashed out of Europe with a calamitous 4-1 defeat.
Talking to AFP and different media hours after coming back from Italy on Thursday, Kobel stated the Bayern conflict would be the tonic a wounded Dortmund want.
“Clearly it is a powerful state of affairs. Typically it is simpler stated than carried out, however you simply should maintain going and deal with the following recreation,” stated Kobel.
“For us as professionals, it is actually necessary we deal with what we will do. The coaching in the present day, the coaching tomorrow and getting good vitality within the group to play a pleasant recreation on Saturday.”
Like Bayern, Dortmund have misplaced simply as soon as within the Bundesliga this season, however they path Vincent Kompany’s league leaders by eight factors.
A Dortmund win would not all of a sudden make them title favourites, however it will transfer them nearer because the season enters its ultimate stretch – particularly with Bayern nonetheless balancing European and German Cup commitments.
Some gamers might look to distract themselves to close out the nerves, however the 28-year-old Kobel welcomes the butterflies in his abdomen.
“I am an enormous fan of feeling the nerves just a little bit. It will get you going. It makes you sharper in my expertise,” he stated.
“Lots of people try to battle towards it, push it away, however then you may get into issues.
“I believe you’ll be able to profit loads from it. I all the time really feel assured when just a little bit (of the sensation) comes. As a result of I do know I’ll be sharper.”
‘Failure a part of the sport’
In opposition to Atalanta, Karim Adeyemi’s very good objective dragged Dortmund stage within the tie with quarter-hour left, however a misplaced move from Kobel deep into stoppage time spelled catastrophe.
That lapse led to Ramy Bensebaini conceding a last-gasp penalty as he caught Nikola Krstovic within the face together with his studs whereas trying to clear a cross.
Kobel instantly apologised to his teammates for his mistake and known as on his aspect to placed on a “nice present at house towards Bayern”.
In impolite monetary well being, Dortmund are European regulars however Kobel admitted the membership wants silverware.
“Now we have to win. If we win one thing once more, then the whole lot can change actually rapidly.”
Arriving a month after their final German Cup victory in 2021, Kobel has come agonisingly near lifting a trophy with Dortmund.
The Switzerland worldwide was on the pitch when Dortmund drew at house on the ultimate day of the 2022-23 season with lowly Mainz, permitting Bayern to pip them to the Bundesliga title on objective distinction.
A 12 months later, Kobel watched on as Dortmund dominated the opening 70 minutes of the Champions League ultimate, solely to fall to 2 late objectives from Actual Madrid, who received the competitors for a record-extending fifteenth time.
No matter what occurs on Saturday, Dortmund beneath Niko Kovac are heading again in the precise route.
The eight-time German champions are simply three factors off their greatest ever factors tally at this stage in a season.
As is commonly the case although, Bayern are additionally in prime kind. With simply three attracts and one defeat, Bayern have dropped fewer factors than some other aspect in Europe’s prime 5 leagues this time period.
“Should you watch Bayern this season, how they’re doing and the way they play, it is an incredible group. They win each recreation by numerous objectives,” stated Kobel.
“What we will do is deal with us, attempt to enhance as a group, attempt to get higher and compete with them.
“We attempt daily to attain that objective. Failure is definitely a part of the sport, too.”
