When it comes to body parts in soccer, it’s usually fine feet, dangerous heads or the magical hands of a goalkeeper. But a thigh is also an option for football heroic deeds. BVB defender Nico Schlotterbeck proved this at the weekend with the most spectacular rescue operation of the day.
Once opponent Eintracht Frankfurt got past the outstanding Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel in the top game on Saturday evening with a score of 1:2. Mario Götze had deducted from a central position of ten meters. The ball raced past the goalkeeper, Frankfurt’s goal scream had already been formulated, Götze urgently had to think about how exuberantly he wanted to celebrate his old love.
But then Schlotterbeck, standing on the goal line, raised his left thigh and somehow steered the missile over the box. Dortmund won flatteringly – and Schlotterbeck was then allowed to analyze in a relaxed manner as a guest in the ZDF sports studio how he had done it. “It was luck, but also a bit of skill,” said Schlotterbeck with a smile.
In an interview with moderator Dunja Hayali, the young national player also showed that he can not only do it with his thighs, but that everything is fine upstairs as well. Refreshingly down-to-earth, self-critical and honest, the youngster, who stormed into the limelight, also answered uncomfortable questions about poor performance and penalties.
And even when the topic of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar came up, you could believe every word he said. “Of course it’s a dilemma,” said Schlotterbeck on the political discussions about the host country, which has been heavily criticized in this country for human rights violations. “We all know that the World Cup doesn’t belong in Qatar. We also know that the World Cup doesn’t belong in winter, but in summer,” said Schlotterbeck.
But for him as an athlete, it is still the biggest goal to be at a World Cup. “I’m 22, this is my first World Cup, I think that’s what you dream of as a little boy. Then to say I’m not going there – it’s hard to imagine.” If national coach Hansi Flick nominates him for the squad, he will give everything “that the people in Germany are simply happy”. That’s why he’s “really in the mood for the World Cup, even though there are these differences with Qatar”. Understandable views for a 22-year-old footballer.
The chances that the national coach will take him with him are good. For honest performance on and off the field, there’s our star of the match day in advance.
