Pre-Match Report
"Energy and courage" – Mike Tullberg before the game against Bremen
Following the departure of coach Nuri Sahin, U19 coach Mike Tullberg is preparing Borussia Dortmund's first team for the home match against Werder Bremen. On Thursday, the interim coach got to know his team and led them through their first session on the training pitch. On Friday, the Dane then took his place on the podium at the press conference and explained: "My task is clearly to look after the team until Saturday. I have been given clear tasks over the last six years at the club. I'm happy about every task and this one is now until Saturday."
He was given the task of looking after the team on Tuesday night. ‘"I have to see what approach I choose for a very, very short period of time. One thing is clear: the players haven't forgotten how to play football. We have very little time to train. Today is the only day on which we can really work on the technical side of things," said Tullberg. "My clear approach is to energise the team and encourage the lads so that you see a team that gives everything, gives it their all and plays football with freedom."
Tullberg has had many discussions with the team individually and as a group: "I have a good feeling about the boys. Each of them can do what I ask of them. They're not overdoing it. If you make mistakes, you fix them - but in a full sprint, frothing at the mouth and a knife between your teeth.’
Süle back on the pitch
There is still one question mark regarding personnel: Waldemar Anton did not train on Thursday and will have to wait for the final training session. There is also positive news from Niklas Süle, who is already working individually on the pitch again.
After three Bundesliga defeats in a row, BVB have slipped to tenth place in the table. Bremen, with 26 points, have picked up one point more than the Black & Yellows (25) and are ninth in the table. However, Werder have yet to win a game this year. They lost 4-2 in Leipzig to open the year, followed by a draw against Heidenheim (3-3) and a home defeat against Augsburg (2-0).
"We have a clear ambition to win the game," said Tullberg, who has been analysing the opposition with his assistant coaches Daniel Rios and Patrick Frisch since Tuesday night. "We've watched five or six games and developed a clear plan." However, the plan will remain simple: "The boys need a certain amount of freedom. We have a bold approach against the ball and won't sit back and wait. They should listen to their gut feeling."
The reverse fixture in Bremen on Matchday 2 ended goalless. BVB won 1-0 in the most recent meeting between the two clubs in Dortmund, in October 2023. Another win on Saturday would see the Black & Yellows overtake Bremen in the table. Tullberg: "The team spirit is paramount. We're a team along with our stadium and that will be the case tomorrow."
Christina Reinke