Last season, Borussia Dortmund made a memorable run to the Champions League final. The Black and Yellows eventually lost the all important game to Real Madrid at Wembley. However, they gave the fans nights to remember along the way. If Niko Kovac’s side are to replicate the heroics of last year, they can learn a thing or two from Edin Terzic.
The way Terzic left Borussia Dortmund last season was a surprise for many people. Even though his side did get close to winning the Bundesliga and Champions League, the team couldn’t cross the finish line. Internal disputes and poor league performances also couldn't go unnoticed.
As a Dortmund-born coach, Terzic had the love and support of many fans of Borussia Dortmund, but online discourse about the coach was divided. Many believed that he lacked the experience, and didn’t have the high tactical prowess needed to take Dortmund to the next level.
Despite the criticisms, Terzic’s BVB went on a fantastic run in the 2023/24 Champions League. The Black and Yellows were first placed in the group of death alongside PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle United. Even then, they managed to finish in first place.
After navigating past PSV, Terzic’s side had to face the challenges posed by Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid and Luis Enrique’s PSG in a tough path to Wembley. In those difficult European nights, the team’s camaraderie shone through, and they managed to conquer the heavyweights.
If Niko Kovac is to replicate any of those performances, he needs each player to leave everything on the pitch. Increased work rate and desire to win matter more than anything in a Champions League quarter final. Unforced errors and lapses in concentration will change the tide and prove to be very costly.
Borussia Dortmund seems to have picked up form at the right moment with back-to-back wins in the Bundesliga. The Black and Yellows put on decent performances in their 3-1 win against Mainz and 4-1 win against Freiburg. Summer signings Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier have proven pivotal in the club’s recent good run of form.
The bad news for BVB is the fact that they have lost arguably their player of the season in Nico Schlotterbeck. The 25-year-old German centerback was injured in training. The club has stated that Schlotterbeck has torn the meniscus in his left knee.
ℹ️ Tough news to close out the season: Nico Schlotterbeck has sustained a meniscus tear in his left knee and will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. pic.twitter.com/ki3zfAZLwb
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) April 7, 2025
In a recent social media post, former coach Edin Terzic praised Schlotterbeck by coining the nickname “Schlotterbeckham” after the defender's decisive corners in the win against Mainz. A couple of months ago Mats Hummels also praised the center back’s ability and pointed out the fact that he is a standout player.
Die Situation vor dem 0:3 gestern so ruhig zu klären wie Schlotti es macht, plus den Pass so zu spielen, dass direkt ein Konter entsteht, ist der Unterschied von guten zu herausragenden Spielern 🙌🏻
— Mats Hummels (@matshummels) February 12, 2025
The good news for BVB is that Emre Can has been doing well at center back this season and might be able to carry the burden. The return of Felix Nmecha is also good news for BVB. The 24-year-old German midfielder has been named in the squad that will face Barcelona on Wednesday night.