Brandt's classy gesture: Why Schlotterbeck suddenly captained BVB | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund caused confusion regarding the captain's armband in the cup match against Frankfurt. The reason Julian Brandt voluntarily handed it over to Nico Schlotterbeck is a selfless one.

During Borussia Dortmund's cup match in Frankfurt, there was initial confusion: Who was actually leading BVB onto the field? At first glance, everything seemed clear – goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was listed as captain in the club's lineup. However, on the official DFB match report, Julian Brandt suddenly appeared as the captain. But when the teams finally took to the pitch, Nico Schlotterbeck surprisingly wore the armband.

After the dramatic 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout, Brandt himself provided clarification. The midfielder explained his decision to voluntarily give up the armband: "I gave Nico the armband because I feel that I haven't been in the starting lineup much in recent weeks," said the 29-year-old. "For us as a team, it's really important to have a bit of continuity."

Brandt wanted to set a sign for stability. "I believe it's important to have a permanent point of contact. He is currently fulfilling the role excellently," added the BVB playmaker. With this selfless gesture, Brandt strengthens the internal hierarchy – and simultaneously shows that team spirit is more important to him than personal honor.

Julian Brandt's renunciation shows true team spirit at BVB

The actual captain Emre Can was again absent in Frankfurt due to injury. Schlotterbeck, officially the number three behind Can and Brandt, seized the opportunity and led the team with great commitment through the evening. Many in the club already see the defensive chief as the future captain.

Coach Niko Kovac also welcomed the development. He is known to support players taking responsibility and making internal decisions themselves. That Brandt and Schlotterbeck handled this without fuss fits this philosophy.

In the end, all three protagonists contributed to advancing: Brandt scored the crucial 1-1, Schlotterbeck led the team, and Kobel saved the decisive penalty. The evening in Frankfurt thus showcased not only athletic strength – but also how much cohesion exists within this BVB team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.