Emre Can Tears Into Dortmund Teammates After Champions League Mauling by Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can did not hold back following his side’s crushing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg. Visibly frustrated and emotionally charged, Can aimed his post-match criticism squarely at his teammates’ lack of effort and unity, rather than the tactical setup.
“We Were Soft” – Can Questions Mentality Over Tactics
Speaking to DAZN after the game, Can dismissed any notion that Dortmund’s downfall was due to tactical errors. “It’s not a question of system,” he said, “but rather of whether everyone is willing to give 100% and make the sacrifices required in games like this.”
The German international pulled no punches:
“Too many things went wrong in the game. We didn’t play well today. We were soft. We weren’t cohesive enough. And on top of that, we made simple mistakes.”
Barcelona Punish a Disjointed Dortmund
Can emphasized that against a side like Barcelona, mental lapses and lack of cohesion are recipe for disaster. “At this level, those types of mistakes are punished harshly. That’s why we went down here today.”
Despite acknowledging Barcelona’s quality under Hansi Flick, Can insisted that defeat was avoidable if Dortmund had shown unity.
“They obviously have several good players… but the only way to beat them is if you go out there as a team — something we didn’t do.”
Second Leg Redemption? Can Calls for a Response
Looking ahead to the return leg in Germany, Can issued a call to arms. “Now we need to put in a good performance and try to win the game. We owe it to our fans and we need to give it everything we’ve got.”
Dortmund’s Champions League campaign now hangs in the balance, and the captain’s public lashing signals deep cracks in the squad’s mentality. The team sits eighth in the Bundesliga, five points off UCL qualification spots, and Tuesday’s return leg against a treble-hunting Barcelona could spell the end of their European journey.
