Sovereign leaders avoid the word “championship” like the devil avoids holy water, but the bookmaker declared Borussia Dortmund German champions even before the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. Due to a ten-point lead over the pursuers 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer Leverkusen, the international company Senegal betting sites has already paid off the predictions that bet on Dortmund as champions before the start of the season.
“I can't understand people who place bets. How am I supposed to understand people who pay bets,” said a surprised and relaxed BVB coach Jurgen Klopp ahead of the main match at the start of the second half of the season on Friday. at third-placed Bayer Leverkusen (20:30 / Sky, Totalliga!, ARD) Even if Klopp doesn't want to hear anything about the title just yet, the road to success should continue as early as possible at Leverkusen.
“We have a lot planned for the second half of the season,” Klopp announced, but also made it clear: “We showed the least we can do in the 0-2 draw against this opponent in the preliminary round. Although we are at the top of the table, we are far from favorites at Leverkusen."
Why the championship is not approved
Klopp also made it clear why the word ‘championship’ around Borsigplatz is (still) frowned upon: “It goes from game to game. We are in the mood for the second half of the season. We'll start from scratch - 17 games. and we'll start in Leverkusen. If we lose it's seven points, if we win it's 13 points, but it doesn't really matter now."
After losing to Leverkusen earlier in the season, Borussia went on an amazing 15-game unbeaten run before the Westphalians conceded their second defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first half of the season. According to Klopp, it left no trace.
We are very happy that everything is starting again,” said the BVB coach, who, however, has to do without Shinji Kagawa, who was outstanding in the first half of the season under the Bayer cross. The Japanese performs at the Asian Cup. Mohamed Zidane could have played for Kagawa, whom Klopp praised: “He always makes the best impression, also physically. If he is used, we will see the best Mohamed Zidane possible at the moment."
Why is there such respect?
Nuri Sahin also knows that it will not be easy in Leverkusen, but still requires three points. “I have a lot of respect for Leverkusen because the team has been playing football at a high level for many years and has a great squad. However, we are focused on winning this first game of the second half of the season because we definitely have something to do well.”
Leverkusen, where the Michael Ballack debate has caused some turmoil lately, wants to avoid it. “We are on an equal footing regardless of the situation at the table, but at home we have to give a clear signal,” said 04 coach Jupp Heynckes, who gave Ballack hope for a short time: “Even if you are not 100% fit, you are all you can still go through it and get maximum performance on an emotional level.”
Ballack, 34, would like to prove himself against the leaders after a long break due to injuries, especially since national team coach Joachim Löw and his assistant Hansi Flick are in the stadium and their permanent captain would like to be on the field directly under the ball. A month before the first international match of the third World Cup participant against Italy.
Regardless of Ballack's personal details, Bayer's sporting director Rudi Völler has clearly articulated goals for the second half of the season that have often proved fatal for Werxelf in the past: "We want to go very far in the Champions League and also in the Europa League."
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