The state of mind at Borussia Dortmund was clear to see from Erling Haaland's ice-cold look.

Without a word and very annoyed, the "miracle striker" withdrew into the winter break after BVB's desperate first half.

From Dortmund's point of view, the silence of the courted 21-year-old after the 2: 3 (1: 0) at Hertha BSC was not that bad, there would certainly not have been any nice words before Christmas or even a declaration of loyalty that evening.

Would-be pursuer of FC Bayern - Haaland will not do that much longer.

Nine points behind in the Bundesliga, lackluster Thursday evenings in the Europa League. The prospects of Dortmund for the second half of the season offer hardly any arguments to convince the super talent to stay beyond the summer. BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke reported on the TV broadcaster Bild on Sunday that Real Madrid's “great interest” was “guaranteed”.

The Spanish record champions, who are looking for a successor to the 34-year-old Frenchman Karim Benzema, are one of the few clubs that could offer Haaland's million dollar package.

The Norwegian’s advisor, Mino Raiola, is considered the most notorious gold digger in the industry.

Watzke said he had "a very good conversation" with the Italian a few days ago.

"It may be that Erling leaves, it may be that he stays," said Watzke.

Sports director Michael Zorc had ruled out an exit in winter - but before the bankruptcy in the Olympic Stadium.

"I can read a table"

In this, BVB coach Marco Rose sat pretty pissed off on Saturday evening. The 45-year-old emphasized: "Don't forget, we are second in the table." But that doesn't make the defeat any better. And that doesn't speak for the quality in the Bundesliga behind Bayern. The last time the Munich team had a bigger lead over the half series was in the 2017/18 season. The eleven points turned into 21 by the end of the season - the failed second was Dortmund's rival Schalke 04 at the time.

"I can read a table and I also know what it means when Bayern Munich have a nine point lead," said Watzke, who "didn't want to gloss over anything".

He is annoyed "black if we lose this dirty game yesterday".

However, he does not allow the question of a supposed mentality problem that has accompanied Dortmund for years: “We have to see that we do not fail under the pressure of always being measured against Bayern.

We have to look at ourselves. "

BVB wanted to “get a little closer this year”, said the BVB boss, who will also serve as chairman of the supervisory board of the German Football League (DFL) in the future.

But Bayern would also have to come to terms with this.

"The way Bayern are playing again now, you just won't get a chance," said Watzke.

In Berlin, BVB, which collapsed in the second half, again had to struggle with major personnel problems.

The trunk defense was almost completely unavailable.

The representatives were overwhelmed with the three goals conceded.

"We never want to take the subject of injuries as an excuse," said Rose.

But it is "always nice" if that is included in the assessment.

"But I cannot influence that."

Rose will not provide a wish list for the winter transfer period either.

"Every Bundesliga team, every second division team, conducts management talks, in winter, during the season," said the coach.

"That is clear.

At the moment Corona is kicking in again, that is also clear. ”The most important thing anyway is that“ everyone is healthy and stays healthy ”at the start of the training.