Ewald Lienen on learning from mistakes and claims that Dortmund lack flair | OneFootball

Despite his many stints in professional football as both a coach and a player, Bundesliga stalwart Ewald Lienen has never been employed by Borussia Dortmund. That doesn’t stop him from publicly sharing his assessments of the latest developments at BVB, which currently are as follows.

Together with TV commentator Michael Born, Ewald Lienen has been discussing all topics related to—primarily—German football for years in his own podcast “Der Sechzehner”. In his case, one can assume a fairly extensive wealth of experience, which he uses to reflect on events.

At BVB, there was a stir in mid-December when Nico Schlotterbeck, following the disappointing 2-2 draw against FK Bodø/Glimt, publicly criticized his teammates at the microphone—and did so rather harshly by industry standards. The substitutes, who were only brought on 30 minutes before the end, had shown too little commitment. Schlotterbeck expects “half an hour of full throttle” with such a short amount of playing time. According to Michael Born, this was aimed primarily at Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy, although other players were also brought on late.

Lienen comments that such criticism should, in principle, always be raised internally. However, if it does happen publicly as in this case, it is, in itself, bearable. Mistakes happen not only on the pitch but also off it. What’s important is how this criticism is handled and what kind of culture of dealing with mistakes and communication prevails at BVB.

Photo: IMAGO

Lienen: Culture of Dealing with Mistakes at BVB is Crucial

The undeniably existing shortcomings, Lienen explains, in Borussia Dortmund’s defensive work can only be remedied if, following such criticism, the matter is discussed objectively. In this respect, Schlotterbeck’s criticism may have been exaggerated in tone. But only by addressing the issue can the team move forward.

Lienen cannot understand the criticism that BVB has been playing mainly “boring” football in recent months. What he sees from BVB under Niko Kovac is much more attractive and, above all, more successful than it was before his appointment. Expectations at Borussia Dortmund may be unreasonably high, perhaps due to the many titles won and the recently reached Champions League final. He observes something similar at clubs like HSV or 1. FC Köln, where people like to remember only the particularly successful times.

Undoubtedly, however, Kovac has improved BVB’s game, which can be seen in details such as the improved defensive behavior of Karim Adeyemi. Especially since the pure results—just one defeat in the Bundesliga, a chance to reach the last eight in the Champions League—hardly give any cause for criticism, Lienen concludes.

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