With one goal and one assist, Anthony Modeste was the decisive player for BVB against FC Bayern. The attacker explained after the final whistle that he had always believed in himself – Edin Terzic spoke of a relief.
After just one goal in ten games for BVB, Anthony Modeste had already been labeled a transfer flop and a misunderstanding. The Frenchman lacked any connection to the game at the start of the season, which is why he recently had to give way to 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko in the starting XI.
The ex-Cologne player was also initially out against Bayern and was only substituted on in the 70th minute when the score was 0:2. With his first action he set up Moukoko’s goal before he headed in the last action of the game to make it 2-2.
“I think everyone felt the relief,” said BVB coach Terzic at the press conference after the game. “Not just Tony, but the whole team. The whole stadium was happy for Tony. It wasn’t an easy phase in the last few days and weeks. What Tony had to read and hear about himself isn’t easy. It’s not easy for anyone. But we said we’d go through it together.”
Modest also revealed on the Sky microphone that his header was no coincidence. “I complained during the week because we didn’t hit enough crosses,” said the 34-year-old, who thrives on high balls into the penalty area like hardly any attacker. “I told them [my team-mates] we don’t need to play sexy anymore, we need to be effective.”
Modeste struggled a little with his missed chance when the score was 1:2 when he didn’t hit the ball properly after great preliminary work by Karim Adeyemi. “In the end I could score two goals, that’s for sure,” he said of the miss (via kicker). “But I still have to remain calm after the scene because it can always happen that you miss a shot on goal. But in the end I still made it 2-2, that’s the most important thing.”
Modeste emphasized that he “just kept believing in me” despite the missed goal chance. “If I don’t do it, who will do it for me?” he asked. “And that’s how I rewarded myself.”
The attacker admitted his move from Cologne to Dortmund was difficult. “I got a lot on the cover, but I’ve been in the business for a long time, I’ve seen everything, I have to stay positive.” Now the knot could finally have burst.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Modeste madness: relief for Terzic and BVB.