Speaking to the media ahead of his 100th Bundesliga game on the touchline, the Borussia Dortmund head coach has highlighted the need to be wary, as his side prepare to take on a “compact, aggressive” Bochum.
Rose explained: “After the Leipzig game, we reacted well and showed that we want to win the remaining games. Wolfsburg at home was an excellent game. In Munich we also did very well, especially in the second half. I don’t have the feeling that we have run out of steam. We have to prove it again tomorrow against Bochum in front of a full house. We want to get as many points as possible.”
Dortmund will be without midfielder Emre Can through suspension, but Rose confirmed that other than that “there are no other absentees,” other than the already-injured Donyell Malen, Thorgan Hazard, Mats Hummels and Mahmoud Dahoud. This means that BVB youngsters Tom Rothe, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Lion Semic are also likely to be in the squad for Saturday’s game, with coach Rose wanting to give the young players a greater taste of top-level football before the upcoming U19 Cup Final.
“We have the opportunity to make a few changes,” but taking into account the extensive injury list, Rose admits that “the team is almost picking itself.” Star-striker Erling Haaland is also expected to be involved, with Rose having stated that the club have “managed the injury situation well despite the strain of the last few weeks.”
Rose adds: “Bayern are German champions for the tenth year running and that is not something we want to get used to. That makes things difficult for us because the expectations at this club are high. But we don’t want to change that either. We have to keep pushing ourselves so that we reach the top level. But first of all, you have to get the points against all the competition we have here in Germany. You have to prove yourself first to be second – but of course the goal is different.”
Dortmund can tie up second place with a win against Bochum on Saturday, whilst a win for the visitors will guarantee their Bundesliga survival.
