Dortmund dreaming of a miracle

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- "Why shouldn't we make it? It is possible, it is football. Just imagine we score early to take a 1-0 lead," Borussia Dortmund managing director Michael Zorc commented.

Zorc's optimism is shared By many of his side's supporters despite the team's latest difficulties, with a nine-point lead in the Bundesliga over rivals Bayern Munich having vanished over recent weeks. The Bavarians are now level on points with Dortmund, separated only By virtue of having scored two goals fewer.

The second leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur this Tuesday also represents an opportunity to turn things around and create a miracle that would also give a boost to the Bundesliga itself.

Nothing less than a magical evening is required to make up the ground lost in a chastening 3-0 defeat in the first leg in London.

Dortmund's dreams might appear bold, as just one Spurs goal could destroy all their hopes. But until then the Bundesliga leaders are determined to take their chances, with the support of 80,000 fans behind them.

"Several historic games took place in this fantastic arena. We are able to create another miracle, but we have to go beyond our limits," striker star Marco Reus noted.

The 29-year-old's message is as simple as it is convincing. "Stay positive. The entire team and our supporters are ready."

Reus added that the squad would rely on the support of the so-called "yellow wall," also known as the famous "Sudtribune" stand, which has the largest terrace for standing spectators in European football, and is a favorite spot for the club's most die-hard fans.

"The team and our fans won't give up on the game, although we might have to play 120 minutes in order to proceed to the next round," Reus emphasized.

Many might remember the legendary last-16 tie against Real Madrid five years ago, in which Dortmund lost the first leg By 3-0. But a shock almost occurred in the return leg, when Reus scored twice against the Spanish giants and Dortmund only narrowly missed a miracle, winning 2-0.

In October 2018, Dortmund crushed Atletico Madrid 4-0, with many of the team's current players playing in that game.

"We must act clever and we will. We have proved we can score goals," said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, discussing his side's record of 53 goals in 17 home games.

Favre added that he went through the latest mistakes with his squad. Many expect Dortmund to improve. Mental strength and determination have been called into question after some below-par performances against smaller clubs in the Bundesliga.

Zorc discovered a lack of "greediness and concentration" in defeats to newly-promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf and FC Augsburg.

Pundits explain Dortmund's difficulties with the inexperience of many of its talented youngsters. Looking at the age of the regular back four tells its own story: Manuel Akanji, Abdou Diallo, Achraf Hakimi, and Dan-Axel Zagadou are all between 19 and 23 years old.

To overcome Tottenham and then secure the 2018/2019 Bundesliga title, "they have to start to work harder," said former German international Stefan Effenberg.

"Not only against Tottenham, but in terms of general awareness, it's not enough not to invest the full 100 percent," Zorc stressed adding he is optimistic the team's youngsters "got the message."

While Lukas Piszcek is sidelined due to injury, former Chinese Super League player and Belgian international Axel Witsel ominously announced: "We will return."