Dortmund’s Defensive Struggles and Emre Can’s Resilience

omidbasir- Borussia Dortmund relinquished a 2-0 advantage against VfB Stuttgart, ultimately allowing the Swabian club to equalize in the dying moments of the match. This setback has cost Dortmund vital ground in the Bundesliga race against leaders Bayern Munich.

Ahead of their UEFA Champions League encounter with Villarreal, Emre Can, the captain of Dortmund, addressed inquiries regarding the team’s defensive performance.

“We must maintain our focus in the final minutes of games,” Can stated. “Yes, we’re fatigued, but everyone needs to exert themselves further, even if it is challenging. It’s not merely a matter of desire. I am hopeful that we will perform better moving forward.”

Dortmund has received praise for their defensive strategies this season; however, their late-game lapses against VfB have raised concerns about their mentality. In the current league phase of the Champions League, only Union Saint-Gilloise, Copenhagen, and Ajax have conceded more goals than Dortmund.

Can recently returned to the pitch, playing consecutive matches for the first time this season following a recovery from an adductor injury. Regarding his fitness, the 31-year-old shared, “I’m not yet at 100 percent. Recovering from a long-term injury takes several weeks to regain full fitness.”

As Dortmund’s captain, Can is anticipated to collaborate with defenders Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck, although he expresses flexibility in his role. “I genuinely enjoy playing defensively,” he remarked. “This position allows me to see the entire field, and I feel very comfortable in it. However, should the coach decide to place me in a more advanced role, I will give my utmost effort there as well.”