Borussia Dortmund’s fortunes have been ebbing since their recent exit from the Champions League, leaving Gregor Kobel in an emotional limbo as his side attempts a comeback within sight of European glory. Despite securing a 2-0 lead over Bayern Munich in their first leg earlier this season, the German giants were dealt a devastating 4-1 defeat last week, sending Dortmund crashing out with a calamitous performance against Atalanta.
Kobel’s voice carries the weight of his team’s heavy-hearted departure as he reflects on their precarious position in the Bundesliga. After losing only once this season, Dortmund trails its league-leading rivals by eight points but feels they can still claw back the deficit. The upcoming match against Bayern Munich is seen as a potential turning point for the club, offering the spark needed to salvage what remains of their season.
Kobel expressed his optimism about the match ahead, saying, “Obviously it’s a tough situation. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but you just have to keep going and focus on the next game.” For professionals in his position, Kobel believes maintaining composure is crucial for success. He emphasized, “For us as professionals, it’s really important we focus on what we can do. The training today, the training tomorrow and getting good energy in the team to play a nice game on Saturday.”
The contrast between Dortmund’s struggles and Bayern Munich’s dominance becomes starkly evident. Since their last Bundesliga victory a month ago, Dortmund have yet to lift a trophy under Niko Kovac, the club’s eight-time German champion. Kobel admitted that winning something again could completely transform Dortmund’s fortunes this season.
On another note, Kobel believes that while distractions may be tempting for some players, he feels energized by his nerves. He explained, “I’m a big fan of feeling the nerves a little bit. It gets you going. It makes you sharper in my experience.” This mindset reflects how Kobel often benefits from an adrenaline surge before important matches.
For Dortmund fans, success against Bayern Munich would be a significant milestone. While it won’t suddenly make them title favorites, such a victory could put the team closer to securing their best ever Bundesliga points tally at this stage of the season. “We have to win,” Kobel stated firmly, “If we win something again, then everything can change really quickly.”
In stark contrast, Bayern Munich remain in top form with just three draws and one defeat thus far, suggesting they are a formidable force both domestically and on the European stage.
For Dortmund supporters hoping for redemption, Kobel offered advice: “Failure is certainly part of the game. What we can do is focus on us, try to improve as a team, try to get better and compete with them.” His confidence stems from his belief in the club’s potential under current manager Niko Kovac.
Dortmund stands on the brink of reclaiming their form and momentum against Bayern Munich, setting the stage for a pivotal match that could determine whether they can reverse their season’s fortunes.