Khaberni - Marcel Schmelzer, the former captain of Borussia Dortmund, reveals one of the strangest moments he experienced in his football career.
Schmelzer stated that during his team's match against Real Madrid in the Champions League, he found himself in an unexpected situation involving Portuguese coach José Mourinho and Mesut Özil, which summarizes the cunning of coaches and the pressure of major matches.
Schmelzer explained that the match was in Dortmund's favor with a score of 2-1, and amidst the atmosphere of tension and high concentration, he approached the sideline to perform a normal throw-in, only to be surprised by Mourinho standing next to him directly.
He indicated that at that moment, he did not expect a routine situation to turn into an exceptional scene that would remain etched in his memory for many years.
Schmelzer recounts that Mourinho addressed him calmly and confidently, asking him to convey a direct message to Mesut Özil that included clear technical instructions to move deeper on the field and increase the speed in transitions.
He pointed out that the request was shocking for him, not only because of its timing but because the instructions were directed at a player from the rival team.
Schmelzer revealed that he felt a great confusion at that moment and began to internally question whether conveying these instructions would make him appear as if he were betraying his team or crossing the boundaries of fair competition, as the situation put him under sudden mental pressure, especially in a crucial European match that does not tolerate any distractions.
Despite his hesitation, Schmelzer eventually decided to approach Mesut Özil and relay what Mourinho had said, believing that it was merely guidance that might not significantly affect the course of the match. However, what happened afterward completely shifted the scenario, as Özil managed to score the tying goal for Real Madrid within a few minutes, in a moment that seemed like an immediate translation of the coach's instructions.
