Can BVB close in on the title race? „It’s only up to Bayern Munich“ | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund have recently made up ground in the championship race. Since the 17th Bundesliga matchday, BVB have made up five points on FC Bayern and reduced the gap from eleven to just six points. The question arises: Is the title race really still open – or does it remain a theoretical hope despite the race to catch up?

Nico Schlotterbeck recently made things clear: after the 3:2 home win against 1. FC Heidenheim, the Dortmund central defender formulated his own demands unequivocally. „As BVB, you have to have the ambition to say to the fans: we want to be champions,“ said the international on the DAZN microphone

Matthias Sammer agreed with this statement. The BVB advisor welcomed the offensive tone, but at the same time put the brakes on expectations. „I think it’s good to hear Nico Schlotterbeck speak out after the game. I like courageous players and that even in a situation like the one we’re in right now, you perhaps couldn’t and wouldn’t expect it because we’re not yet stable enough to achieve the title,“ explained Sammer

At the same time, the 58-year-old made it clear that he now wants to see the words followed by deeds. Schlotterbeck’s claim is remarkable, but must be measured internally. „As always, I will keep a close eye on whether everyone wants this or just a few. […] I can’t remember anyone making such a clear statement in the recent past. And that is worthy of all honour. Accordingly, we should now go back to the content and not to a general statement.“

Sammer: Bayern „by far the best“

Regardless of Dortmund’s ambitions, Sammer does not believe that BVB themselves hold the key to the title race. In his opinion, it is solely down to the consistency of FC Bayern whether it will be exciting again. „It’s only up to Bayern Munich whether it will be a title fight, because I believe they are by far the best,“ Sammer made clear

photo: IMAGO

The respect for the record champions thus remains unbroken, even if Dortmund have recently moved closer. In Sammer’s view, the fact that BVB were still eleven points behind in January underlines above all the quality of Bayern – rather than Dortmund’s own role as favourites

Nevertheless, Sammer sees Schlotterbeck’s approach as positive, especially with regard to mentality and self-image. „If you want to achieve something extraordinary and only argue in the usual way, your body and mind will not follow you. He has now expressed it and I think that’s good,“ said the former Bayern sporting director.