Gerrard, Ramsey, an underestimated: Balogun over the Rangers

Leon Balogun can still remember his last encounter with Borussia Dortmund. "In Mainz was that, right?" He asks in conversation with the Gerrard. "Have we lost 0: 2?"

• Gerrard no longer coaches - "What was there?"
• "Van Bronkhorst as successor not so bad"
• Swatter in the Old Firm - Edge victory against the Hearts
• The BVB must pay attention to Kent and Morelos

In December 2017 Balogun and the FSV conceded at 0: 2 against the BVB already the eighth defeat in the 16th league game. "There was definitely a little restlessness," looks back Balogun. "Some of our own fans have us, I believe, exploit."

Around four and a half years later, the reunion takes place with and in Dortmund among other conditions. Balogun is now a regular player in Glasgow, the Scottish Master Rangers. And the BVB is no longer trained by Peter Stöger. Or by Lucien Favre or Edin Terzic.

"I am basically very optimistic," says Balogun before the first leg in the signal-iduna park, which he will miss because of a injury suffered on the weekend in the league game. Unlike the Ibrox Stadium One week later, the Arena in Dortmund will not be sold out on Thursday. Understanding does not really have Balogun for this decision. "Great Britain has, if I do not deceive, higher case figures than Germany. And here the stages are full. In the last two years, so much has happened that a few questions should be allowed."

Gerrard no longer coaches - "What was there?"

For example, these: Why are the rangers, after all unbeaten masters, just second? And why does the coach stop Steven Gerrard, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst?

"Joa", answers Balogun and first sniffs. "What was there?"

Actually, the answer is not that hard. After Dean Smith had been released as a coach at Aston Villa at the beginning of November, followed by Steven Gerrard, who liked to adopt the new challenge and antrat his first coaching post in the Premier League. "It's now for many to realize that he will come to 'home' and Liverpool coach," says Balogun, for whom it was clear, "that there was still a stopover, and there was Aston Villa a very good one Opportunity".

"Van Bronkhorst as successor not so bad"

Anno 2016: Leon Balogun at the guest match with Mainz 05 at BVB around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images

Evil was Gerrard in Glasgow nobody, rather disappointed. But not from the coach in itself, but about its change. "Because it was just a pity. Steven Gerrard has had a mission here in Glasgow for three years, built up something outstanding work. I came here 2020 after a rather difficult time in my career, and what Gerrard and his team for me Self-confidence, was incredible. "

Quickly, Balogun adds a "but" grinning. "If you get a Giovanni van Bronckhorst as successor... is not so bad either."

Three months, the Dutch is now in office and has not changed something to the 4-2-3-1 -1 system. "But you notice how important it is to give the players his idea." The above all ball possession includes. "He played for the club himself and understands one hundred percent, which is required. And he also calls on from us. There is slowly what, but that takes time."

Swatter in the Old Firm - Edge victory against the Hearts

A small low threshold had to accept Balogun and Co. about two weeks ago in the Old Firm, when Celtic already led to the break 3: 0 and passed through the clear home win on the ore and city trivals. "It hurts," gives Balogun, but also raises the subsequent 5: 0 against Hearts. "You can not deliver a better response. That gives us up."

This will be a hard game, but we go with the setting pure that we can get away.

Leon Balogun in front of the duel with the BVB

The Rangers need against a sometimes difficult to engage BVB too. "This will be a hard game," White Balogun, but "We definitely go with the attitude in that we can get away."

Even if on the other side with Erling Haaland, according to Balogun "this new phenomenon in the storm world of football" waits. "There are enough players who have proven their class on an international stage. I can imagine that many see us as Underdog, but if you do not go into these games and think you can win them in In my opinion, nothing lost to the competition. We have to catch a very, very good day, but that will certainly not become a self-runner for the Dortmund. "

The BVB must pay attention to Kent and Morelos

What the BVB must be taken? "We are a team that can always take care of the wings for danger because we bring a lot of pace." For example, Liverpool self-green Ryan Kent, for example, "keeps track of sensation". Watching Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji also on Alfredo Morelos. "He's somebody," explains Balogun, "who likes to be underestimated in the first impression, which one must first get under control".

And then there would be Deadline Day new access Aaron Ramsey, who was no longer needed at Juventus. "You realize that he was shaped by Arsène Wenger," praises Balogun. "He is always investable, has a very good understanding of play, a good" football brain ", as we say on the island. A gifted, goal-threatening box-to-box player. Ramsey can be a good clock with his experience for us Especially in European games. And even away from the lawn a very pleasant personality, he has fed very well. "

However, Balogun really emphasizes no one, because so good some single players also: "We work as a unit."