Back
5.02.2022Bayer 04

Bellarabi ahead of BVB game: 'It will be exciting right to the end'

Karim Bellarabi knows what it's all about: When the Werkself line up against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday 4 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET), the 31-year-old midfielder will be the only player in the Bayer 04 squad to have been on the winning side at the Signal Iduna Park. In an interview with bayer04.de, the Black and Reds number 38 reveals key factors for Sunday and also talks about his favourite match against the Black and Yellows.
crop_20220127_JS_Training_0575.jpg

 

Karim, how are you all feeling heading to Dortmund?

Bellarabi: We had a couple of days off last weekend and were all able to recover to some extent. We worked well in training this week and the last few weeks have gone very well overall. Therefore, we are going into this game full of confidence. Nevertheless, we also know it will be a very difficult and exciting match against a strong team.

Two of the three best attacking sides in the Bundesliga meet in BVB (52 goals) against the Werkself (49 goals). Can the fans of both teams expect a goal fest?

Bellarabi: Games against Dortmund are always special. They are actually very similar to us and we have a lot of quick players too. Therefore, I believe it will be exciting right to the end.

It's second against third. What could make the difference in the end?

Bellarabi: We'll see. In games like that it's mostly the little things. We always give 100 per cent and we have our plan. We went to implement that as well as we can and for as long as possible.

To what extent do you have a score to settle with BVB after the 4-3 defeat earlier in the season?

Bellarabi: That was an intense match but I can remember it exactly. Of course, this time we want to end up with the three points.

You are the only player in the current Werkself squad to have won at Dortmund. Did you know that?

Bellarabi: That's the first time I've heard that. I hope a couple of my teammates can follow suit on Sunday. (He laughs) It's absolutely of secondary importance if I'm responsible for that. We want to achieve more as a team and play with high intensity. What happened in the past or happens in the future is irrelevant at the moment.

To finish with, tell us about your personal highlight against BVB.

Bellarabi: That's easy – obviously my goal after nine seconds. (He laughs) It was a very special game back then. It was the first Bundesliga match under Roger Schmidt and we had lots of plans at the start of the season. We faced a very strong opponent in Dortmund but we’d actually planned to get on the front foot early and take a risk. The fact it worked straightaway was obviously brilliant.

Related News

Mannschaft nach Abpfiff
Champions League - 06.11.2025

Werkself review #SLBB04: ‘Great fighting spirit, respect to the team’

Bayer 04 picked up their first three points in the current Champions League campaign on matchday 4 in the league phase with a courageous and determined display in a 1-0 win at Benfica (1:0). "It was a hugely important win," said coach Kasper Hjulmand after the game, paying tribute to his players for their battling performance right to the end. The Werkself defended resolutely right to the end and kept out off shot after shot. Keeper Mark Flekken said: "We were determined to get these three points and gave everything we had on the pitch!" Read on for more reaction plus the facts and stats on the away win at the Portuguese record champions in the Werkself review.

Show more
crop_251105_JS3_0362.jpg
Champions League - 05.11.2025

Live blog: The Werkself away to Benfica

The second European away game takes the Werkself to the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Kasper Hjulmand's team will face record champions Benfica on Wednesday, 5 November (kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 21:00 CET) on matchday 4 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. As usual, we will take you along on the #aCROSSeurope journey and report from Lisbon. The times given are Central European Time.

Show more
Bayer 04 gewinnt in Lissabon | Champions League
Werkself-TV - 05.11.2025

TV highlights of the 1-0 win at Benfica

Werkself TV shows highlights of the 1-0 win for Bayer 04 at Benfica on matchday 4 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase...

Show more
Patrik Schick
Champions League - 05.11.2025

1-0 at Benfica – Sub Schick earns first Champions League win this season

The Werkself beat Benfica 1-0 on Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase to seal three crucial points! Both teams had promising chances in the first half, but the contest was goalless at half-time. Substitute Patrik Schick headed in to score the only goal after the restart (65’). The home side went looking for an equaliser but Bayer 04 defended passionately to see out the storm.

Show more
Lucky Punch durch Kehrer: Frauen gewinnen Heimspiel gegen den HSV | 9. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 05.11.2025

Women: TV highlights of 2-1 win against Hamburger SV

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against Hamburger SV on the 9th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more