Article by Dragoș Petrescu – published on Saturday, 02 August 2025, 20:03 / Updated on Saturday, 02 August 2025 20:15
In the previous season, Borussia Dortmund He managed to secure his 4th place in the Bundesliga and, implicitly, to obtain the qualification in the Champions League, only in the last stage, after the season suffered extremely. This led to a wave of critics from the supporters, and the main target was Emre can (31 years), team captain.
In an interview with “11freunde“, The German international spoke about the” yellow-black “objectives for the 2025/2026 campaign, what chances have Borussia to win the championship, but also about the harsh words he received from the” BVB “supporters.
Emre Can: “There were many nights in which I didn't sleep because of this”
The captain of Borussia was extremely optimistic about the new season, saying that the team can make a beautiful figure both internally and in the Champions League, taking into account that, now, after many years, the Dortmund club has a much more competitive lot.
Regarding the criticisms received, the German midfielder said that most of them are perfectly deserved and that he agrees with them, given that in some matches he made some huge mistakes.
However, he also stated that some insults were totally free, being of the opinion that those who offended him had/have some personal with him.
It is logical to be criticized when you are wrong, especially when you are the team leader. I understand perfectly, there were some matches in which I made some serious errors and it was normal to be charged.
But sometimes it was all by chance. Free and totally unfounded critics. Remember an episode of a match with St. Pauli. We were playing at home, I was driving with 1-0. In the 70th minute I was replaced, and then they (no – St. Pauli) equalized.
Shortly after, someone wrote on Instagram: How can someone defend himself as stupid as Emre? >>. Then, the boys (no – the Borussiei players) made 2-1 at the end and I won the match. The moment I read another message, which was sent by the same man: I scored because Emre came out of the field. That was our luck >>.
So he knew I was no longer on the field, but he wanted to charge me for receiving the goal. Then I realized. It doesn't matter what I'm doing. I don't even have to be on the field and there will be people who will blame me. Those people don't want me to the team.
– Emre can for “11freunde”
CAN also confessed that he is an extremely self-critical person, and when he makes a mistake, he is the first to blame: “I am perfectly aware that I have not always played well and that I made mistakes. But I am the first man who>. I had many nights I didn't sleep for this reason, thinking that, maybe because of me, the team lost a point or important points”.
Last but not least, the captain of Borussia was asked who is his model in terms of the role of captain, and he offered the answer without being too much on his thoughts: “Steven Gerrard, no discussion. I had the chance to play with him at Liverpool and, for me, he represents the quintessence of a captain, a true leader. Gerrard spoke very little in the locker room, being an extremely reserved and very polite guy. But when he did, he left the silence, and this says a lot. I'm not necessarily the same. I am a little more impulsive (no – laugh)”.
Emre Can, celebrating a goal in the Champions League (season 2024/2025) // Photo: Getty Images
Niko Kovac: “Emre can be the Borussiei Castian and in the next season”
Despite the criticisms received lately, the 31 -year -old midfielder will remain the captain of “BVB”, announces coach Niko Kovac: “I see absolutely no reason to change something. I am very pleased with the choices made by my predecessors. Emre Can will wear the captain's banner and next season”.
The German footballer took over the leader status of the “yellow-blacks” just before the start of season 2022/2023, when Marco Reus took a step back, thus encouraging his colleagues to take on more responsibilities.
