Michael Zorc blasts Borussia Dortmund players after embarrassing performance against Rangers

Michael Zorc has hit out at the Borussia Dortmund players for their performance against Rangers, while confirming that Marco Rose retains the support of the club.

Borussia Dortmund sunk to a new low on Thursday as they fell to a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Rangers in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout round playoffs tie. Two goals either side of half time helped the Scottish champions claim a stunning win and handed the Black and Yellows a stark reality check.

The embarrassing result left Michael Zorc at a loss for words, and the BVB sporting director has blasted the players for not turning up for such an important game.

"“I am still dismayed. It was an embarrassing and disgraceful performance from the first minute to the last,” Zorc told BILD. “Thursday evening, under the floodlights, light drizzle, but not too cold, a European Cup tie against a traditional club like Glasgow Rangers – what more could you want as a footballer?”"

There were rumours that the BVB bosses held a ‘crisis meeting’ on Thursday evening to analyse the shock defeat to Rangers. That claim was refuted by Hans-Joachim Watzke on Friday morning. And now Michael Zorc has also confirmed that Marco Rose continues to retain the full backing of those in charge at Borussia Dortmund.

"“That’s the normal reflex in this business (questions about the coach), but we don’t go along with this discussion. The coach has our full backing.”"

Borussia Dortmund now have it all to do if they are to turn the tie around in the second leg next week. And Zorc feels that they must play with a lot more courage at the Ibrox stadium if they are to have any chance of progressing to the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

Borussia Dortmund have now lost their last two home games, conceding nine goals in the process. They will be back at the Signal Iduna Park on Sunday to take on Marco Rose’s former club Borussia Mönchengladbach.