Borussia Dortmund’s manager Edin Terzic stressed on Monday that his team felt “penalised” in the first leg and felt forced to respond in Tuesday’s home Champions League quarterfinal matchup against Atletico Madrid.
Dortmund suffered a setback as Atletico Madrid took a 2-0 lead in the first half of the match, leaving them behind 2-1 from the first meeting in Madrid. Sebastien Haller’s goal helped Dortmund come back, but the striker will be sidelined for the next match because of an injury.
Atletico’s clinical performance had “penalised” Dortmund, Edin Terzic said, but he was certain his team could turn the tide in front of their fervent 81,500 spectators at the Westfalenstadion, which included the famous ‘Yellow Wall’ south stand.
In an interview with reporters, Terzic underlined the importance of playing in front of their home crowd, calling the energy “unique” and a major source of inspiration for the team. He emphasised the club’s initiatives to provide players who play for Borussia Dortmund in their legendary stadium a sense of devotion and pride.
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With a goal of making it to the semifinals for the first time since 2013, the team knows how important it is to perform well at home. But recent home losses—especially against Mainz and Stuttgart—serve as a reminder of how important it is to remain focused and determined.
Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt batted off worries about the intimidating environment, emphasising that the team’s strength comes from the fans’ loyal support.
He underlined how crucial it is to maintain composure, patience, and concentration throughout the forthcoming game against Atletico.
In response to the verbal disagreement that occurred during the first leg between Dortmund sports director Sebastian Kehl and Atletico manager Diego Simeone on the sidelines, Brandt asked his squad to maintain composure and focus on the game instead of getting into arguments.