By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Eastern Dortmund suburb Brackel is not what you would call a cozy spot. Not now in winter time. A gusty wind whistles unimpeded in the fans' ears as they wait for their admired stars. The roundabout right in front of the Blacks and Yellows training ground is said to be the best spot to catch a glimpse of the Borussia Dortmund players as they slow down their fancy cars.
Right here, hardly 50 meters away from the well-guarded gate protecting coaching staff and players from prying eyes, fans always knew when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was approaching. You could hear him before you could see him due to his sport cars providing a loud roaring sound that supporters remember.
But things have changed for fans. Their star has let them all down; at least that is what they feel. The 29-year-old took off in a private Learjet for London to start a new chapter with Premier League side Arsenal FC. Every season is said to be worth up to 10 million euro net for him.
Having signed an agreement with the Gunners leaves 63.75 million euro in Borussia's cash box, but deep wounds remain as discussions about Aubameyang's value continue. Some claim to have him around was like setting the fox to guard the henhouse as his constant provocative behavior harmed the clubs progress. Others talk about the team's dependency on his goals as he has scored 172 in 213 games.
Despite this irrevocably damaged relationship, Aubameyang transmitted a last statement in a social media channel for Dortmund fans, apologizing for his misbehavior. "Sorry for all I did the last month. Maybe it was not the best way. I made mistakes but never meant to. Ha ha ha. Everyone knows Auba is crazy. And yes I am a crazy guy. Thank you for four great years," the striker commented admitting he forced the club to let him go despite a valid contract.
Now silence has returned to Brackel and a struggling club, once among Europe's best, is trying to recover and get everyone's feet behind the line. In addition to going through disastrous months with Ousmane Dembele blackmailing the side to allow him to join Barcelona, followed by Aubameyang's immature performance, the club is still suffering from an insane bomb-attack on the team bus and the club leaders not getting along with head coaches like Thomas Tuchel and Peter Bosz.
This Friday evening, when facing FC Cologne in the Bundesliga, Borussia has the opportunity to prove the club can get over the latest turbulence despite the unusual circumstances.
Head coach Peter Stoeger was Colognes' coach until December 3, getting the sack after over four years, and, only a week later, taking the job in Dortmund.
When he departed Cologne, the side seemed hopelessly lost. Now after three victories, new hope is growing in Cologne. Meanwhile, Dortmund is the side slipping into a state of unrest as the club is in danger to miss its season goals such as qualifying for the Champions League. "I would be lying not to admit that this was an exceptional game for me," Stoeger commented.
It could be a decisive one about his future in Dortmund as his contract expires in summer. He already expressed interest in staying longer, but so far couldn't improve his team's poor performance. Losing to Cologne would cause new turbulences despite a new striker turning up on the doorstep.
Michy Batshuayi will most likely make his debut for Borussia. Fans hope that the first game of the 24-year-old Belgian with Togolese roots joining in from FC Chelsea on loan until summer will lead to a turnaround as they seem to have lost faith.
Predictions regarding the season's outcome couldn't be worse.
The Munich-based paper Sueddeutsche called Dortmund the "biggest disappointment of this season." The team, the paper commented, lacks speed and emotion. The Nuremberg based sports magazine kicker said the 2017/2018 season is a season to forget for Dortmund.
"The team lacks leaders," former German international Lothar Matthaeus emphasized. "The club leaders for much too long wrapped their players in cotton," Matthaeus stressed adding the team has lost far too many cornerstones over the years.
Former German international Steffen Freund painted a very gloomy picture of the clubs' future saying that Borussia at present stands for mediocrity and endangers its international reputation.
Most of Dortmund's fans are pleased that the constant trouble caused by the rougue Aubameyang has come to an end, but still have to imagine having to live without his goals. Many feel the star striker has betrayed them.
But life goes on, as they say in the East of Dortmund. People are familiar with dealing with adverse circumstances as the city is situated in a traditionally working-class region. They traditionally stick together to get through difficult times, and many have what they call a Black and Yellow heart. Cohesion perhaps has never been more important around Borussia as it is today.
