Dortmund's Schlotterbeck: Sabitzer is 'kind of the guy for big goals'

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck praised team-mate Marcel Sabitzer after the latter's injury-time free-kick secured them a 3-2 win against Werder Bremen and spot in the German Cup last 16.

"He has an incredible touch, he has an incredible shot. And I think Sabi really earned this after the last few weeks and months, when he was often unfairly criticized," Schlotterbeck said.

The defender recalled the 2023-24 Champions League season, when Sabitzer fired Dortmund into the semi-finals with a long-range shot in the 4–2 win against Atlético Madrid in the second leg.

"He's kind of the guy for big goals," Schlotterbeck said.

Dortmund went 2-0 up against Bremen due to goals from Serhou Guirassy and Carney Chukwuemeka.

But former Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug later came off the bench to convert a penalty, scoring for the seventh straight game, and then netted a brilliant second after a solo run. Bremen had also come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in a recent Bundesliga fixture at Dortmund.

Extra-time seemed certain until Sabitzer bent in a magical free-kick.

"The coach told me to take the shot. That just reinforced my belief that I can do it. I’ve got it in my right foot. I know that. I’ve shown it many times before, and I went into that moment with confidence. It was a great moment today, the way it flew right in," Sabitzer said.

Coach Niko Kovac told broadcaster ZDF that he shouted from the sidelines "Sabi, please shoot!" so Sabitzer would take the free-kick.

"He listened to the coach and deserves credit for that," Kovac praised.