Favre backs Julian Brandt: "I don't think he's played that badly"
BVB fans kept up the criticism of their trainer this week, particularly after Lucien Favre declared himself satisfied with a 1-1 draw against Frankfurt last weekend.
With lead striker Erling Braut Haaland sidelined for some time to come yet, cries to start 16-year-old phenom Youssoufa Moukoko in his place are unlikely to subside.
Favre made clear in a Thursday presser, Favre insisted that Julian Brandt should be given more time.
With lead striker Erling Braut Haaland sidelined for some time to come yet, cries to start 16-year-old phenom Youssoufa Moukoko in his place are unlikely to subside.
Favre made clear in a Thursday presser, Favre insisted that Julian Brandt should be given more time.
| Julian Brandt. | Photo: Светлана Бекетова/Soccer.ru/CC-by-SA 3.0 |
"People say that he's not in the best form lately and has had some bad ball losses," Favre said of Brandt, "but I don't think he's played that badly.
Favre actually had high praise for Brandt's play.
"Tactically speaking, he runs very well in behind the opponent's lines," he continued, "That's why he plays striker sometimes. He is quite fast and can run deep. We need that and he can do it very, very well."
Favre did acknowledge that the center-forward position may not be the best deployment for Brandt at the moment, conceding "perhaps another role might suit him better." Sporting director Zorc also let slip "We know that Julian can play better than he has been recently."
Both men still expressed their support for their support for Brandt, with Zorc noting: "The important thing is that he continues to work on himself."
Favre seemed to suggest that he had little qualms about starting Brandt up top again in this round's match against Stuttgart.
"It's good for his development that he can play in that position," noted a coach who often places the developmental path of his players above his own future plans, "It will be much better for him in the long term."
