Borussia defender Jordan Beyer gives an interview on the start to the Foals’ season, he recent selection in the starting line-up and the upcoming home game on Saturday evening against BVB (kick-off 18:30 CEST).
Jordan, after five Bundesliga games the team has picked up four points. What do you think are the reasons why the start to the season hasn’t gone as well as was hoped?
Jordan Beyer: Of course we imagined our start to the season a little differently, and we’re currently not meeting our aims. Some lads came back to pre-season a bit later, and we’ve been unlucky in terms of injuries. But we cannot let that be an excuse: it’s still early in the season; it’s still all to play for, and so we’re not getting worked up about it. We can’t afford to be nervous, but instead try to improve our game, which is simply done by defending better and scoring more goals. We believe in ourselves and will try to put everything right as soon as possible. We want to get past this poor run and start picking up points, and I’m very optimistic that we’ll do that.
In both of the away fixtures in Berlin and Augsburg, the biggest problem in the game was that we lacked creativity in attack. What do you need to do better to create more chances against deep-lying defensive blocks?
Beyer: I don’t just think it’s just our creativity that’s lacking, but also we are conceding too many goals. Nine goals in five games is far too much. I think that our attacking play and our defence has room for improvement, but I firmly believe that we will improve in these areas very soon.
Having only made four appearances during the last Bundesliga season, you’ve already started three games in this campaign. Did you think your chance would come so soon and are you going to take it?
Beyer: The last few weeks have gone very well for me in particular, none more so than my game time. Last season was a tough one for me and there was a chance that I would go out on loan again, had it not been for the injury to Stevie Lainer., so I definitely had mixed feelings about the new season. I had considered my options a lot given that this is the final year of my contract, but I spoke to the coaching staff and the sporting director a lot and they reassured me. I feel very comfortable here at Borussia and now I’ve started in three matches. Unfortunately, we lost two of those which made it anything but pleasant, but I’m still very proud to be finally getting in the starting XI. I hope I will feature in a few more games and that we pick up some wins in these matches.
The team has recently been deploying a three at the back system. How does that change the team’s style and what’s the effect on you individually when you play as a right-back of a back four or as one of three centre defenders?
Beyer: I don’t mind whether we play in a back three or four- as long as I play (laughs). Simply put, in a back three you have one more man at the back and one fewer up top. I think I can play well in both systems.
On Saturday evening you welcome BVB to the BORUSSIA-PARK. What sort of game are you expecting?
Beyer: It will, of course, be a much different game to the one we played in Augsburg. With all due respect to FCA, BVB are a different level of quality. They’ve got a super team and regularly play in the Champions League. But, we’re also a great side and we really want to get over our hump this weekend. We’re incredibly motivated to win this game. We’re going to give it our all and I think that we can all look forward to a brilliant game of football.
Dortmund have the great goalscorer Erling Haaland in their ranks. How can you stop the threat of such an exceptional talent?
Beyer: I can’t tell you, I’m yet to play against him (laughs). Of course, he’s a brilliant player, he’s physical, quick, tall and a great finisher. I would say he’s the best striker in the world at the moment. We’ll need to put a shift in and bravely defend our goal.
The opening home games of the season have been a 1-1 draw with Bayern and a 3-1 win against Bielefeld. What role have the fans played in helping you achieve this successful home form, now they are allowed back into the stadium?
Beyer: It was strange and sad to play without fans in the stadium for more than a year. To finally be able to play in front of 25,000 in the BORUSSIA-PARK was unbelievable. It makes a huge difference and it’s definitely more fun to play with fans in attendance.
