In the first game after the international break, Nuri Sahin caused several surprises in his line-up against Heidenheim. One was that Felix Nmecha was allowed to start instead of Emre Can. The captain was substituted during the game, however, scored from the penalty spot shortly before the end and made a telling celebration. This was “not directed at the coach, nor at the real fans here in the stadium,” as Can clarified. “But at the others.” He did not want to elaborate further.
But at the press conference before the Champions League opener against Bruges, it was clear that Can still had something on his mind. “I can see that I am sometimes treated unfairly!” he is told by the Bild quoted. In the past few days, there had been several reports and posts from fans on social media that at least raised the question of whether Can had lost his starting place and whether BVB would not be better off without him.
Can, however, emphasized that he had “played a good European Championship.” “Then I come here and my games were okay. It’s too easy for me when someone is singled out who supposedly played badly,” he defended himself.
The 30-year-old is aware “that as captain I have to take responsibility for a lot of things.” But he demanded that it be “fair.” “These are facts that I am speaking. That is the truth. That is why I think it is unfair.”
Nuri Sahin, who had witnessed his captain’s statements first hand, stressed that Can “is who he is”. He was “happy” about that. “Every person has their strengths and weaknesses. If Emre feels that way, that is his right. You have just experienced a very honest person,” said the BVB coach regarding the criticism of the midfielder.
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