By Jan Mies and Philipp Znidar, dpa
Berlin (dpa) – The ice-cold expression on the face of Erling Haaland was a clear summation of Borussia Dortmund’s situation as the one-time title hopefuls reached the Bundesliga winter break with their dreams surely shattered.
Saturday’s 3-2 defeat away to Hertha Berlin – having led 1-0 at half-time – has left Dortmund nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich with 17 games remaining from early January.
Haaland’s silence post-match was probably the best Dortmund could expect from the 21-year-old, who is viewed as one of the hottest properties in world football.
Nice words for Christmas or a declaration of loyalty were out of the question. No one can expect Haaland to be happy, even medium-term, at a club which cannot compete domestically and, like Dortmund, missed the Champions League knock-out phase.
The Europa League is a worthwhile competition for some but players like Haaland have no wish to conduct business on a Thursday.
It is widely reported Haaland has an exit clause considerably below his market value valid this coming summer and chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild TV on Sunday Real Madrid’s “great interest” in the player is “vouchsafed.”
The Spanish and European record champions are on the look out to replace Karim Benzema, who despite his current form is nearer the end than beginning of his career aged 34.
They are also one of only a handful of clubs capable of funding a move for Haaland, whose agent, Mino Raiola, is famed for his ability to squeeze the most lucrative deals for his clients.
Watzke said he had a “very good conversation,” with the agent a few days ago. “It could be that Erling goes, it could be that he stays,” he said.
A departure in the January window has previously been ruled by Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc – albeit before the latest loss in the Olympic Stadium.
Dortmund coach Marco Rose was left disappointed by the defeat and pointing out “we’re still second,” was scant consolation.
Only once have Bayern had a bigger advantage at the half-way point of the season, turning the 11-point lead held in 2017/18 to an eventual 21-point gap to runners-up Schalke.
“I can read the table and I also know what it means if Bayern Munich have a nine-point lead,” said Watzke, who added he didn’t want to talk up the situation but dismissed the suggestion of a mentality problem, an allegation which has plagued Dortmund for years.
“We have to see that we don’t fail under the pressure of always being compared to Bayern,” he said. “We have to look at ourselves.”
Dortmund want to get “a bit closer this year,” said Watzke but “as Bayern are playing again now, you simply don’t get there.”
Bayern made a shock exit from the German Cup meaning Dortmund, ahead of a last 16 trip to second division leaders St Pauli, are favourites to retain the trophy won in 2021.
And even with the surprise presence of Barcelona, winning the Europa League is a viable target as well.
But these, in comparison to the Bundesliga and Champions League, are ultimately second-grade competitions. And Haaland, with his pick of European top addresses, will not be interested in pursuing them for long.
Be the first to comment on "Dortmund hit ceiling as title dream fades and Haaland interest grows"