Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho has been hailed by both his coach and sporting director after his stunning goal secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday. The win keeps Dortmund in fourth place in the Bundesliga, on track for Champions League qualification next season.
Sancho’s goal, his first since returning to Dortmund on loan from Manchester United in January, was a trademark solo effort that showcased his exceptional dribbling skills and clinical finishing. The England winger received the ball on the left flank, danced past several Bremen defenders, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
“Doing something like that, you can of course see what a great footballer he is,” said Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl. “You can see how he can make the difference, especially in one-on-one situations.”
Sancho’s goal put Dortmund 2-0 up, but the visitors were forced to hold on for a narrow victory after Marcel Sabitzer was sent off with a straight red card shortly after. It was Sancho’s first goal in eight matches since returning to the side and his first in Dortmund colors in 1,031 days, dating back to May 2021.
Kehl, who played a key role in bringing Sancho back to the club, said the 23-year-old was “rewarded” for his hard work. “Everyone is happy for Jadon because they saw how hard he was working and how willing he was to help the team. Goals help. He’s had one or two assists before, but this goal will help him and give him a boost.”
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, who was in charge when the Black and Yellows won the German Cup in 2021 thanks to two goals from Sancho, praised the winger’s performance. “It’s an example of what he’s capable of and hopefully he can continue like this. He’s not limiting himself to scoring a goal — it was his entire performance. We know he’s not 100 percent, there’s no way he can be (after a long layoff). But we’ll get him there.”
Kehl compared Sancho’s return to a player returning from injury and said Dortmund would need the winger in Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at home to PSV Eindhoven. “You should not forget that he didn’t play for a long time. It’s like when a player has a cruciate ligament injury and is out for a long time. We need him and we will again on Wednesday and for the coming weeks.”
Dortmund drew 1-1 in the first leg in the Netherlands and need a win to ensure progression to the quarter finals.
