BVB prepare to welcome back national hero Haller: "A striker lives off his self confidence."
BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl - as quoted by Matthias Dersch of Germany's preeminent footballing publication - dropped strong hints that Ivorian national team hero Sebastien Haller would very soon be given his chance at cracking the starting IX upon his return to his club team.
The "fairy-tale" ending to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations left Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller unable to complete his post-match interview. The 29-year-old - reflecting on a year during which he had to beat testicular cancer as well as contending with a place on the bench for both club and country - broke down in tears when speaking to his interviewer.
Attempting to describe what it felt like to score technically gorgeous goal that delivered Cote d'Ivoire an incredible and miraculous continental title proved too much for the Borussia Dortmund professional. Haller got as far as some words about being rewarded for never losing faith in himself, then fell into the arms of the microphone wielding French international Basile Boli.
After remaining in Cote d'Ivoire for the second national holiday proclaimed by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara following a continental title (Ouattara also gave the entire country the day off when Cote d'Ivoire captured the African crown in 2015), Haller is due back in Dortmund on Thursday. Injuries and competition issues have precluded the striker from featuring much for club this season.
That looks set to change, at least if BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl is to be believed. Dortmund square off against a weak VfL Wolfsburg side this weekend. Haller may be a candidate - at the very least - to work some of the later-match front-three constellations BVB trainer Edin Terzic has been experimenting with recently. He could even start in Terzic's projected opening 4-4-2.
Kehl - as quoted by Matthias Dersch of Germany's Kicker Magazine - noted that both he and Terzic had been keeping in contact with Haller over the course of his country's topsy-turvy rollercoaster ride of a tournament. In some senses, the duo would be foolish not to give Haller a quick chance after he became a living legend in his own country on Sunday.
"We're delighted for Sebastien," BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Dersch on Wednesday, "The role he was able to play during the tournament shows how important he is to his home country's team. With his goals in the semi-final and final, he was instrumental in winning the title."
"That will give him confidence and strength," Kehl continued, "A striker lives off his self-confidence. We are delighted that he is now back with us and can help us achieve our goals."