Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

Dortmund's German head coach Edin Terzic (C) reacts with players after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Mainz 05 and BVB Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, western Germany on May 11, 2024. (AFP)
Dortmund's German head coach Edin Terzic (C) reacts with players after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Mainz 05 and BVB Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, western Germany on May 11, 2024. (AFP)
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Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

Dortmund's German head coach Edin Terzic (C) reacts with players after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Mainz 05 and BVB Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, western Germany on May 11, 2024. (AFP)
Dortmund's German head coach Edin Terzic (C) reacts with players after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Mainz 05 and BVB Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, western Germany on May 11, 2024. (AFP)

Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund deserved their 3-0 defeat at Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga as they lack the drive to achieve consistency in their performance, manager Edin Terzic said.

Lee Jae-Sung scored a brace after Leandro Barreiro had opened the scoring to hammer Dortmund 3-0 on Saturday.

Terzic's side had the opportunity to sink Mainz into the relegation zone but Mainz climbed up to 15th place, two points clear of the relegation play-off spot they previously occupied.

Terzic had said he wanted his team, in fifth place, to maintain their intensity levels after Tuesday's 2-0 aggregate win over Paris St Germain set them up for the June 1 final of Europe's top club competition against Real Madrid.

"Let's let Paris be Paris and talk about last week and this week," Terzic told reporters. "We were the team that were always late to the ball and always losing out in the tackles.

"That's why it was a deserved defeat. Mainz fought for every inch, didn't give us any peace in possession, whereas we did.

"We demonstrated that we could play really good and mature football, but we didn't prove it regardless of the opponent, competition, weekday and stadium and this is what makes me angry...

"There's so much inside of us and we can't get it onto the pitch every time."

Dortmund's fifth position has secured their Champions League participation next season. They host bottom side Darmstadt 98 in their last league game next Saturday.



Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said it is his responsibility to get their season back on track after they suffered a fifth successive defeat on Saturday and that the current squad is strong enough to turn things around.

City's 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium marked the first time in Guardiola's career that he has lost five games in a row in all competitions.

They have been without a number of key players this season, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Ruben Dias among those absent due to injury on Saturday.

"We don't expect to lose important players for many times, but it's happened. You have to find a way to deal with that ...," Guardiola told reporters.

"When we start to lose, I said to the people: 'I have to find a way - I have to. We have to find another way to win it.' It's my duty, my responsibility. Find a way to be more consistent and our game will be better, and we will win games."

Asked if City needed to be strengthened in the transfer window, Guardiola added: "I trust more than ever with these players. I think the squad, when all the squad is there, is exceptional, but the team is not ready here."

City are second on 23 points, eight adrift of leaders Liverpool who they meet at Anfield on Sunday.