Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke critical of Borussia Dortmund’s performance against Eintracht Frankfurt

Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke did not pull any punches while talking about Borussia Dortmund’s performance in the 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Borussia Dortmund suffered a massive blow in their hopes of finishing in the top four on Saturday, as they were handed a 2-1 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt. The defeat leaves the Black and Yellows with a mountain to climb in the final seven games of the season. Der BVB are now seven points behind fourth placed Eintracht Frankfurt, and even seven wins may not be enough to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

BVB bosses Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke both spoke to Ruhr Nachrichten (subscription required) after the game, and criticised the team’s performance.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, who recently signed a three-year contract extension, said that Borussia Dortmund’s body language was wrong and the team lacked the desire to come out of the game as winners.

"“I have always defended the team,” Watzke said. “But I can’t do it for the performance in the game against Eintracht Frankfurt. In a game like this, we have to show a different body language and a more determined attitude. Everyone has to see that we want to come off the pitch as winners. It’s a question of will, and that’s where the team has disappointed me beyond measure.”"

Michael Zorc echoed Watzke’s statements and said that the Black and Yellows failed to meet their own standards on the pitch.

"“I am very disappointed with the performance of our team against Frankfurt,” Zorc said. “In the role of the chaser, I expect a lot more. We didn’t live up to our own standards, made far too many mistakes, it was wild on the pitch at times.”“We have now put ourselves in a very difficult position. Our chances of reaching fourth place in the league are minimal. Of course, we’re not going to give up the fight. But we’re not in a position right now to say: We’re going to win the last seven games.”"

With the form Borussia Dortmund are in at the moment, even qualifying for the UEFA Europa League could prove to be a difficult task. Sixth placed Bayer Leverkusen are level on points with Edin Terzic’s side. While Union Berlin, VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Mönchengladbach are also lurking not too far behind.

Another massive game awaits Borussia Dortmund next weekend, as they go up against VfB Stuttgart. But before that, Dortmund will make the trip to England to take on Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.