Schlotterbeck addresses missed scoring chance, expresses confidence in team's play
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck copped to his monumental missed opportunity when speaking to the Sky mics after Saturday night's loss to VfB Stuttgart.
Schlotterbeck's head-coach and his squad captain were more forgiving of Schlotterbeck and more positive about the team's future prospects in their post-match remarks.
Borussia Dortmund center back Nico Schlotterbeck had to answer for a missed sitter that would have at least enabled his team to draw level with direct Champions' League competitors VfB Stuttgart on Saturday night when conducting his post-match interview with Sky Germany. The 24-year-old made no excuses for his skied effort over the bar in the 80th minute.
Schlotterbeck's head-coach and his squad captain were more forgiving of Schlotterbeck and more positive about the team's future prospects in their post-match remarks.
"I think I have to convert that," Schlotterbeck said, "No question about it. I'm aware of it. So it goes in football. It's a game of mistakes and I made the mistake today. I feel we were the better team and had them today. We just didn't take our chances."
BVB trainer Edin Terzic was quick to defend his player at the post-match presser, noting that "'Schlotti' saved us several times today, too". Skipper Emré Can also sought to put a positive spin on the result, noting that the team "got stuck in and played very well". Can noted that there remained "plenty of time" to catch Leipzig, who are only ahead of Dortmund in fourth place on goal differential.
Dortmund also remain alive in the 2023/24 Champions League and are set to contest the first leg of their quarterfinal tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Dortmund - as recently acknowledged by Schlotterbeck's defensive partner Mats Hummels - do have a very tough month ahead. Leverkusen and Leipzig themselves await on the league docket.
"If we continue to play like this, we can make it," Schlotterbeck also told his interviewer, "I'm absolutely convinced of that."