What a bitter scene – with potentially serious consequences: Borussia Dortmund’s leader Marco Reus apparently suffered a serious injury in the 181st district derby against FC Schalke 04. After several minutes of treatment, he is taken off the field on a stretcher.
The district derby is back. Borussia Dortmund welcomes FC Schalke 04. For the first time since the outbreak of the corona pandemic in front of a sold-out house with over 81,000 spectators. The atmosphere in the 181st duel of these Ruhrpott giants is gigantic, heated and massively smoky in the pyronebula. But suddenly silence, concern. BVB captain Marco Reus lands on his right foot in the 28th minute, twists his ankle and bends in pain. The 33-year-old banged his fist on the grass of the Westfalenstadion again and again. Reus immediately senses that something has broken. Yet again. The offensive player’s story of suffering is well known – all the more incredible that it has now caught him again. A diagnosis is still pending, but the ankle appears injured.
Regardless of the injury shock, Dortmund defeated their rivals. A goal by substitute Youssoufa Moukoko (79th) meant the fourth BVB derby win in a row (1-0). The last time there was such a series for one of the two big clubs from the former coalfield was in 1967. Reus no longer noticed in the stadium how the BVB youngster became a hero. “Now we all hope that Marco is not too bad. I hope so and I pray for him,” said Moukoko. Dortmund conquered the top of the table with 15 points for the time being. Schalke have been without a derby goal for 454 minutes. Borussia missed their best chance immediately after Reus was injured. Donyell Malen had started on the left wing and crossed for Jude Bellingham, but the young Englishman failed with a header from close range. Alexander Schwolow flew spectacularly and fished the ball out of the corner.
Actually, Reus should have trained with the national team next week and prepared for the Winter World Cup in Qatar. For the first time since November last year he could have played for Germany again, in the Nations League against Hungary and England. But nothing will probably come of it. The scenes on Saturday afternoon around 4 p.m. were too dramatic. “It looks like the ligaments were injured. We don’t know how long he’s going to be out, so we have to wait for more detailed investigations,” said coach Edin Terzic on Sky. When asked if Reus would be out for about six to eight weeks, the coach said: “No, we don’t think it will take that long. He had injured his ankle a little more often.” In this case, Reus could continue to hope for the World Cup.
After the impact on his right foot, Reus immediately put his hands in front of his face. He did the same when he was carried off the field by four paramedics. There were a few words of encouragement from Bellingham. Also from Gio Reyna, who came on as a substitute. However, the departure of Reus was also accompanied by unspeakable abusive songs from the Schalke block. “Goodbye” they called after the BVB star. There was a direct echo from the black and yellow south curve, no less poisoned in tone: “Death and hatred to the S04.” The 33-year-old has been in better form this season than he has in a long time. The “Mister 1:0” had scored three goals and prepared four in new competitive games.
The body of Reus, he suffers and suffers. And again and again it is the muscles, ligaments and tendons that cannot withstand the high strain of professional sport. The inner ligaments, the outer ligaments, fiber tears, the syndesmosis ligament, the adductors, the cruciate ligament, edema, bruises and the ankle – the endless entries in his medical file read like a lightning overview of an orthopedic annual balance sheet. He has not been able to practice his profession as a footballer for more than 1000 days. That’s almost three years (!).
The story of Marco Reus is probably the most exhaustive “what if…” in Bundesliga and national team history. And so there are only two major titles in the track record of this outstanding footballer (in addition to a few personal honors for footballer of the year and player of the season): the DFB Cup triumphs in the 2016/17 and 2020/21 seasons. Another one, an even bigger one, is to be added soon, the championship. The success that the Dortmunders are longingly chasing after.
The Borussia captain had repeatedly suffered serious injuries during his career, which cost him numerous games in the black, yellow and black, red and gold jerseys. And big tournaments. Among other things, he missed the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championships, and he had canceled the 2021 EURO 2020 for physical reasons. Reus has only played 48 times for the DFB team. In Qatar he should have played a leading role in the squad of national coach Hansi Flick – it was more than unclear on this Saturday evening that this would happen.
