Reus slams ‘mentality’ remark
– Bundesliga title contenders Borussia Dortmund are hosting injury-plagued Werder Bremen tomorrow, hoping to bounce back from last week’s surprise draw against Eintracht Frankfurt and prove they are not dealing with a “mentality issue”.
The Ruhr Valley club twice squandered a lead to draw 2-2 with Frankfurt last week, that was preceded by a goalless draw with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Dortmund have won one of their last three league games prompting some to question whether the talented team is indeed mentally strong enough to rival champions Bayern Munich for the title over an entire season.
Last season they had carved out a nine-point lead over Bayern midway through but caved in after the winter break to see the Bavarians win their seventh straight league crown.
“It makes me furious, your mentality crap every week,” Dortmund captain Marco Reus (right) told reporters when asked about whether his team had a mental problem and struggled to kill of games.
“Really. I mean we were dumb with the 2-2 (in the 88th through a Michael Delaney own goal), but please don’t start with this mentality crap.”
Whether there is indeed
Berlin
a mental issue there or not, Dortmund will need to beat Werder if they are not to lose touch with the top spots early.
With more than half-adozen players out injured, Bremen on paper look like the perfect opponents for Dortmund at this moment in the season.
With the return of Nico Schulz from injury, Dortmund’s squad is brimming with talent that includes in-form teenager Jadon Sancho, Reus, Spaniard Paco Alcacer, Germany international Julian Brandt and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel among others.
But they have to start a winning run soon as they have yet to show consistently what they are capable of, having failed to win
London
Tottenham Hotspur host Southampton tomorrow with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino hoping the visit of his previous club can help him stop the rot.
While the Premier League fixture might not normally rank as a big game for last season’s losing Champions League finalists, it looks like one now.
Spurs are suffering their worst start to a season since the Argentine took over in 2014 and hit a new low on Tuesday when they crashed out of the League Cup to fourth-tier Colchester United on penalties in the third round.
Beaten 2-1 at Leicester City after going a goal up last weekend, the North Londoners are seventh in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool after six more than two games in a row.
With Champions League action awaiting next week again Dortmund are quickly running out of time to settle into the season and coach Lucien Favre’s team will have to start delivering.
Dortmund are in third place on 10 points, three behind leaders RB Leipzig and one behind Bayern.
Leipzig are hosting improving Schalke 04, who have won their last three league matches to sit on 10 points. Victory would put Schalke, who battled to avoid relegation last season, into the top spots.
The Bavarians have a seemingly easier task than Leipzig, travelling to promoted Paderborn tomorrow. – Reuters games and only a point ahead of Southampton in 13th.
With a home Champions League Group B game against Bayern Munich looming on Tuesday, Spurs need to put matters on a more even keel.
Tomorrow’s early kick-off sees promoted Sheffield United host European champions Liverpool at their Bramall Lane ground for the first time since 2006, when the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Liverpool are enjoying a 15-match winning streak, unbeaten in 23 games and five points clear of champions Manchester City at the top.
Everton, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring twice in the League Cup on Tuesday, will be looking for a quick rebound but face a big task against visiting Manchester City, who steamrollered Watford 8-0 last weekend.
Everton boss Marco Silva has never beaten City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the Premier League, losing on all five occasions.
Winless Watford, languishing at the bottom of the table, are at Wolves tomorrow while Crystal Palace host Norwich City.
Sixth-placed Bournemouth, chasing their third straight win, entertain fifth-placed West Ham United at the Vitality Stadium while Burnley (ninth) travel to Aston Villa.
Chelsea host Brighton at Stamford Bridge in a match that could finally end Frank Lampard’s wait for a home league win as manager.
Third-placed Leicester City host Newcastle United (17th) at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Fourth-placed Arsenal travel to Manchester United on Monday night and will fancy their chances against the hosts. – Reuters