01.02.2010

The day after the party

Twenty-four hours after the 4-3 win over Werder Bremen the Borussia dressing room was empty except for the club doctor, the physiotherapist and the player who bagged two goals.

Borussia coach Michael Frontzeck had cancelled the scheduled recovery training session and given his side Sunday off after a scintillating performance against the DFB Cup holders. One player was forced to show up at the BORUSSIA PARK, however - Raul Bobadilla. The undisputed hero of yesterday's game after an impressive showing that included two goals and two unselfish assists was in for treatment from club doctor Stefan Hertl and physiotherapist Dirk Müller. Bobadilla hobbled off to a tremendous ovation from the crowd in the 80th minute after picking up a muscle problem. The Argentine striker has been given the all-clear, however, and looks set to resume training with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

Raul Bobadilla was the best of a very good bunch against Werder. After unselfishly teeing up Marco Reus for the opening goal he played a perfect square ball to Roberto Colautti for the second. He then added a third in true goalscoring fashion before convincing any remaining doubters of his determination when he chased down a long ball forward and got the better of a challenge with Werder keeper Tim Wiese to make it 4-1. "Boba had an outstanding game," said Frontzeck, who has kept faith with his striker even when he hasn't been scoring. "I did so because I wanted to take the pressure off him and show him that football is about tactics as well as goals. He made a very good contribution yesterday over and above the two he scored and the two he made. Finding the net will obviously be great for his confidence."