By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Marco Reus has not been blessed with good fortune when it comes to winning trophies. Despite being a world class player, the 27-year old German has failed to bag a winner's medal in three domestic cup finals and one Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.
"It's time for me to win my first title," said Reus ahead of the 2016/2017 German Cup final in Berlin this Saturday evening. The yellow and blacks will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the club's fifth consecutive cup-final.
Reus was not a part of BVB's squad when they last win the cup in 2012 when they thrashed Bayern Munich 5-2. Dortmund reached, and lost, the final in each of the next three years. They were also defeated 2-1 in by their big rivals from Bavaria in the 2013 Champions League final in Wembley.
Reus now intends to rectify the situation by driving his side forward to win the 2017 cup. His team and he have deserved to have reached the final said the German international. He is excited about the game saying, "I'm ready." But so is the whole Dortmund squad.
Reus' optimism is based on his development over the past few years. After suffering injuries at inopportune moments such as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championships in France, Reus has matured, says Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel. In the eyes of the club's managing director Michael Zorc, Reus has stepped up to take over responsibility within the team and shape its game.
While Tuchel and Zorc are convinced that Reus feels happy in the leader's role and the forward is openly satisfied emphasizing that it has been important for his mental status to stay fit over a longer period. His feels he has gained a lot of experience in the meantime and that it is natural for him to become one of the team leaders.
The latest example of Reus' development came in the decisive last league game against Werder Bremen when Dortmund needed a win to secure the direct Champions League qualification as third of the tableau. Reus scored twice and provided an assist to help his club to a 4-3 win.
Not only is the cup final important for Reus but for the entire club. Important decisions will have to be made right after the final. The futures of coach Tuchel and star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are hanging in the balance. Club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is expected to start final negotiations with Tuchel as soon as next Tuesday.
Rumors indicate that the cup final might be the 43-year-old's last game for BVB. According to the German media, OGC Nice coach Lucien Favre is already in line to take over. Favre has gained experience in the German league working for Hertha BSC and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Tuchel's relationship with Watzke is according to reports beyond repair. Several newspapers say his blunt working style annoys players.
Tuchel's future seems to be an open race as the "Sport Bild" magazine reported that the coach has asked his squad for a vote of confidence and insists he has not have received any negative answers.
Former Dortmund regulars such as Juergen Kohler and Christoph Metzelder still expect Tuchel's demission soon after the cup final. Lately many Dortmund fans have expressed their hope Tuchel stays for longer. The coach's contact expires in 2018 and he hopes he will fulfill it. But many club insiders talk about an early end of the relationship.
But not only coach Tuchel seems to be ready for departure. Striker Aubameyang is expected to leave and join the Paris St. Germain. While Dortmund would receive in the region of 70 million euro, the side would lose its best striker. A final decision will be made straight after the season said the Gabon forward. His management is negotiating with Paris officials for several weeks.
Losing their fourth consecutive cup final will accelerate the departure of Tuchel and Aubameyang. On top additional players said they would consider to leave as they intend to win titles. Defender Sokratis told a local newspaper that he, aged 28, is running out of time. If it is not possible to win titles with Borussia Dortmund, the Greek defender would consider moving on.
Winning the 2017 cup final would make Dortmund an attractive proposition for talented youngsters, thus making it easier to continue their concept of developing top talents. Losing their fourth cup final in a row could well damage their reputation as Dortmund would be regarded as a club which can't win titles disregarding the age of his footballers.
