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Nach Niederlage gegen Inter Mailand: BVB muss in die Zwischenrunde - vielleicht gegen Leverkusen

The lights dimmed slowly at Signal Iduna Park, but the darkness that settled over Borussia Dortmund was far more profound than just the stadium’s illumination. Following a tense and ultimately heartbreaking defeat against Inter Milan, BVB’s aspirations in the UEFA Champions League came crashing down. The team had fought valiantly in what was widely described as a "Group of Death," yet the results were insufficient. Dortmund now faces the dreaded reality: relegation to the Europa League knockout playoffs, the so-called 'Zwischenrunde'.

For a club with the massive expectations and financial framework of BVB, dropping out of the UCL group stage is always seen as a failure, regardless of the quality of the opposition. The immediate consequence is a significant financial hit, a blow to prestige, and a major headache for coach Edin Terzić, who must immediately recalibrate the squad’s focus.

I remember sitting through the final minutes of that Inter match, feeling the collective tension of the supporters around me. It wasn't just about the three points; it was about protecting the club's status among Europe’s elite. When the final whistle blew, the mood was less one of anger and more of weary resignation. Now, the path forward is clear, albeit difficult: BVB must treat the Europa League as their main pathway back to European success, even if it means enduring a rigorous mid-season playoff schedule.

The real twist of fate, however, lies in the potential draw. As a UCL dropout, BVB enters the fray as an unseeded team, facing one of the Europa League group runners-up. But the longer they remain, the higher the chances of facing a truly terrifying domestic adversary: Xabi Alonso’s rampant Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

The Champions League Fallout and the Immediate Shift in Focus

Borussia Dortmund entered the campaign with hopes of matching their recent strong performances in the UCL, aiming for at least the quarter-finals. However, inconsistency plagued their efforts. While moments of brilliance shone through, key defensive lapses and an inability to convert dominance into goals proved fatal in the crucial fixtures.

The defeat to Inter Mailand crystallized their third-place finish. This placement means they secure a parachute spot in the Europa League knockout playoff round, scheduled for February. While some view the Europa League as a consolation prize, for Terzić and his squad, it represents the only route left to secure European silverware this season and potentially secure a future automatic Champions League berth.

The atmosphere surrounding the club demanded immediate accountability. CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke emphasized that while the initial goal was the UCL knockout stage, the focus must now swiftly turn to winning the secondary competition. This transition requires a mental shift from the high-pressure, glamorous environment of the Champions League to the grinding, often unpredictable nature of the Europa League.

Key takeaways from the UCL group stage failure:

• Inconsistent attacking output, particularly in away games.
• Struggles against highly disciplined defensive setups like Inter’s.
• The team lacked the necessary tactical flexibility required in high-stakes European encounters.

Dortmund’s priority is now simple: stabilize their domestic form and build momentum toward the European knockout stages. Every league match leading up to February will be treated as preparation for the demanding two-legged ties that await them.

The Europa League Maze: Who Could BVB Face in the Knockout Playoff?

The structure of the Europa League knockout phase means BVB’s path is immediately challenging. As a UCL third-place finisher, they are grouped with seven other Champions League dropouts. These eight teams will play against the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage.

Crucially, at this initial playoff stage (the Round of 32 equivalent), BVB cannot face a team from the same national association (i.e., another Bundesliga team). This means the immediate dread of facing Leverkusen is averted, for now. However, the potential list of opponents is formidable and includes high-quality clubs that finished second in their UEL groups.

The draw mechanism dictates that BVB, being unseeded, will play the first leg at home at Signal Iduna Park and the crucial return leg away. This reversal of the typical pattern is a significant tactical disadvantage.

Potential non-German opponents in the immediate playoff draw could include high-profile teams from Spain, England, or Italy, all hungry for European glory and possessing deep squads capable of exploiting Dortmund’s vulnerabilities. Teams that dropped down from the UCL, like Dortmund, often struggle to adapt to the different tempo and tactical demands of the Europa League, where resilience often trumps sheer attacking flair.

However, once Dortmund progresses past the initial playoff round, the rules change. In the subsequent Round of 16 draw, domestic restrictions are lifted. This is where the headline scenario—the German Derby—becomes a terrifyingly real prospect.

The German Derby Dilemma: BVB vs. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen

Bayer 04 Leverkusen, under the guidance of the sensational Xabi Alonso, has become the dominant narrative in German football. They are not just winning; they are dominating, often playing an exhilarating brand of high-intensity, possession-based football. If they continue their strong form and win their Europa League group, they will skip the playoff round entirely and await their opponent in the Round of 16.

If BVB successfully navigates the playoff round in February, the possibility of a direct clash against Leverkusen in March suddenly looms large. A BVB vs. Leverkusen European tie would be more than just a football match; it would be a fierce, emotionally charged battle for national supremacy on the continental stage.

The stakes would be immense. It would pit two contrasting managerial styles against each other—Terzić's passionate, intense approach versus Alonso's tactical mastery and cool control. More importantly, it would force one of Germany’s European hopes out of the competition early, delivering a massive psychological blow.

The thought of this clash sends shivers down the spines of both sets of supporters. While German fans would relish the spectacle, the pressure on both squads would be astronomical. Dortmund would enter as underdogs given Leverkusen's blistering form, but the rivalry factor often negates form guides in such intense domestic derbies.

Imagine the headlines: the high-flying league leaders challenging the fallen UCL giant on the global stage. It is the narrative European football thrives on, and it is a distinct possibility that BVB must prepare for.

Terzić’s Task: Adjusting Ambitions and Managing Fatigue

The reality of dropping into the Europa League is the added fixture congestion. The two additional two-legged ties in February interrupt the rhythm of the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal campaigns, placing immense stress on player fitness and squad depth. This demands clever management and strategic squad rotation from Edin Terzić.

Terzić’s primary task is multifaceted:

1. **Mental Reset:** Convince the highly paid stars that the Europa League is a prize worth fighting for, not a demotion.
2. **Rotation Policy:** Effectively manage the minutes of key players, ensuring they remain fresh for crucial league encounters, particularly with the possibility of challenging Bayern Munich domestically.
3. **Tactical Adaptation:** Find more stability against resilient defensive teams, a weakness exposed in the UCL group stage.

The economic reality also plays a role. Missing out on the lucrative UCL prize money means that winning the Europa League not only provides silverware but also a crucial financial boost and an automatic qualification spot for the next season's Champions League, mitigating the financial damage of the current campaign.

Dortmund’s journey in the Zwischenrunde will be a test of character, resilience, and tactical acuity. The road ahead is long, filled with potential pitfalls, and shadowed by the possibility of a devastating clash against a domestic rival in Leverkusen. For BVB, the season’s ambitions have changed, but the pressure to succeed has only intensified.

The winter break will be crucial for recovery and tactical refinement. When BVB returns, they must be laser-focused on overcoming their initial European opponent and setting up a potential showdown that could define their entire season.