"Not bad at all" On 16 April, German television replayed Tom Rotter's first professional goal in a match between Dortmund and Wolfsburg, when the full-back scored with a header from a corner to add to his debut at Borussia Dortmund. The goal made Rott the youngest debut goalscorer in the Bundesliga, scoring at age 17 and 169 days – an achievement that was more than just "not bad". "Tom did a great job," Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rozer said, "of course, the goal gave him more confidence and a sense of security. Considering his age and environment, he is very calm when it comes to playing. ”
Although Roth was unexpectedly selected, partly because of injuries to Raphael Guerrero and Sorgen Hazard. He was selected as the starter by Rozer, with the pick up from Germany international Schultz, highlighting his position in the Dortmund squad. "Tom is ambitious," Dortmund U19 manager Mike Tällberg told the media, "he's been with us the most training, he's done the most sprints, he eats the healthiest food and he has the best endurance." He is a top professional athlete through and through. 'After joining Borussia Dortmund from St. Pauli in the summer of 2021, Roth shined under Tällberg, contributing three goals and 11 assists to the newly crowned U19 Bundesliga champions in all competitions. He's a great boy, but he should still be a U17 player and go to school," Talberg continued, "that's why you have to be careful with him and not let things go too fast." ”
It could be difficult after Roth's debut as he could now train for a long time on the first team for the first time since preseason. It's not that he's unfit, especially from a physical point of view, his 192cm stature makes him one of the tallest members of the Dortmund squad. His physical condition is matched by excellent endurance and speed, while his game agility and possession ability make him the ideal modern defender, even if the players in his position are generally much shorter.
"He's great in the air and his crosses are great," Talberg detailed, while Roth's left-to-right slash pass wasn't overlooked among those who regularly watched him, and the calm he showed with the ball and without the ball. He's also a well-rounded player, having played on the left side of the three-back system many times, and at four he's as comfortable playing left-back, just as he was when he gave the forward more chances. In recent months, the first-team coaching staff has been looking for ways to promote him to the first team more often, but they are reluctant to interfere with his growth by constantly moving him between the two teams.
Meanwhile, in international competitions, after making his German U19 debut in March, Roth has earned himself a promotion, making his appearance in three European Youth Qualifiers. It's just the latest experience for the 17-year-old, who left his family for the first time in his first season at Dortmund to settle in at the club's boarding school at The Brakel training ground. Still, Roth has proven that he has the mentality to deal with these changes, even though he can still make improvements in the game.
"He still has a lot to learn," Talberg said, adding that Roth's sense of position and defensive tackles need to improve further, while he also has to learn how to provide proper cover for his teammates when they find themselves in a position that is out of place. At Borussia Dortmund, though, they are convinced that Roth can overcome all these challenges and become a star in the first team. "He's one of those kind of players you can say has what it takes to get to the top," Tällberg concluded.