Marco Reus didn't seem really satisfied. Although he had ensured the high point of the evening (53rd) in addition to his penalty goal (45 + 2 minutes) in the sovereign 5-0 (2-0) of his team in the last group game against Besiktas Istanbul, the Dortmund captain mourned still following the end of the European premier class that was sealed two weeks ago in Lisbon. "Of course it still hurts because this team has the class and what it takes to play the Champions League," commented the national player on the streaming service Amazon Prime.
Three days after the bitter 2: 3 in the league summit against FC Bayern, the easily played out victory against the hopelessly defeated Turks at least gave courage for the remaining three games in the Bundesliga before Christmas against VfL Bochum, Greuther Fürth and Hertha BSC. “For us it was about gaining self-confidence. We want to qualify for the Champions League again and we want to put pressure on Bayern. The last three games of this year are very important if you want to go into the winter break with a good feeling, ”said Reus.
Not only his solo before the 3-0 and the two header hits (68th / 81st) by Erling Haaland, who came on for BVB captain in the 63rd minute, noticeably improved Dortmund's mood. The fact that new signing Donyell Malen (29th) also met for the fourth time in the last five competitive games rounded off the conciliatory appearance. "All in all, we said goodbye to the Champions League," said Rose.
At the draw next Monday, it will become clear which opponent the third place in the group from Dortmund will face in the play-offs of the knockout round on February 17th and 24th.
Club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke has already expressed the wish that the professionals get back the 13 million euros in the Europa League, which they lost due to the missed Champions League round of 16.
However, that would only be possible with a final victory.
BVB coach Rose approaches the new mission less briskly than Watzke, but began to make friends with the less lucrative and well-known competition after the final whistle of the game: “It's worth it there too.
There are well-known clubs.
The further you go and the more you sniff the title, the more fun it will be.
It is now our task to accept the competition. "