Despite a 3:0 win

“Listless!” Harsh criticism of Marcel Sabitzer

Marcel Sabitzer did not receive good marks from the German press.(Bild: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Headwind for Marcel Sabitzer! The ÖFB team player has to put up with harsh criticism after Borussia Dortmund's 3:0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the play-off for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

With the clear away win, Borussia Dortmund secured an excellent starting position for the second leg on February 19. Marcel Sabitzer played 90 minutes on the pitch, but the German press was harsh on the 30-year-old midfielder.

"He was rightly verbally chewed out by Can because he didn't accommodate him in his build-up play - symbolic of his once again listless performance in the first half," complained the German newspaper "Bild" and even awarded him a grade of 5. "Sabitzer was largely to blame for the open spaces in the center. Apart from one dangerous cross, he was hardly able to create anything offensively either. Dortmund's midfield acted far too passively and statically for a long time."

"Disappointing performance"
The Austrian was also the weakest BVB player from Sport1's point of view. "Like his teammate Groß, who at least scored the second goal, he put in a disappointing performance. He rarely managed to get close to the man and plug holes," was Sabitzer's verdict. At least: "A bit more stable in the second half."

And "sport.de" says: "Defended half-heartedly, allowed his opponents in the center far too often. Too slow going forward and with coordination problems, apart from the cross before Adeyemi's great chance."