After suffering two consecutive losses, Borussia Dortmund and coach Nuri Sahin face a crucial DFB Cup match against VfL Wolfsburg. With the team’s worst start to a season in a decade, sporting director Lars Ricken emphasizes the need for players to capitalize on their individual skills for the team’s benefit. Despite criticism of Sahin’s tactics, the club maintains its support. However, a poor away record and growing injury concerns pose additional challenges as they aim for a turnaround.
After suffering two losses to Real Madrid and FC Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund, led by Nuri Sahin, is now set to confront VfL Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup.
The initial tranquility of their new leadership has given way to urgency and concern. Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s sporting director, has gone into crisis management mode, spending ample time at the training facility addressing the team’s issues through one-on-one discussions.
Disappointing Start to the Season
Ahead of the DFB Cup clash scheduled for Tuesday at 8:45 PM, he conveyed a clear message to the players: “I expect each member of the team to reflect on how they can utilize their individual talents, which brought them to BVB, for the collective good.” Despite the significant praise for the newer additions last summer, the team has recorded its poorest start to a season in a decade.
Dortmund fell short of expectations during their 2-1 defeat to Augsburg last Saturday, amplifying the critique surrounding Sahin’s coaching. Just days prior, after a 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, Sahin faced backlash for his defensive tactics after his team initially led 2-0.
The team is experiencing unrest following yet another away loss. While the club continues to support Sahin, he acknowledges the urgent need for improvement: “We must deliver.”
Upcoming Matches: The Challenge Ahead
Despite the pressure, Sahin’s position does not seem to be in immediate jeopardy. Ricken expressed confidence in Sahin’s diligent work ethic, stating in the ‘Ruhr Nachrichten,’ “I see him engaging constructively and intensely with the team. Our goal is to find pragmatic solutions together.” This commitment was echoed by Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl, who pledged support shortly after the Augsburg defeat: “We’re in this together.”
On Tuesday, BVB faces off against VfL Wolfsburg in the cup’s second round, with kickoff scheduled for 8:45 PM.
However, if the team fails to bounce back in Wolfsburg and the subsequent Bundesliga home game against RB Leipzig, which sits in second place, the reassurances may quickly seem insincere. Despite the poor start, Sahin remains confident in his strategy and is not considering significant changes, such as demoting the underperforming captain, Emre Can.
Concerns About Away Performance
There’s a worrying trend with the team’s away matches. Dortmund has only secured one point across four Bundesliga games on the road. Team members are still trying to identify the reasons behind this performance slump. Julian Brandt, who has also struggled recently, remarked, “I’ve been with the team for six years, and I’ve never encountered a phase like this. There are so many unanswered questions.”
Growing Injury Concerns
In addition to the sporting challenges, Sahin is contending with increasing injury issues. The club is already grappling with long-term absences for Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Niklas Süle, Giovanni Reyna, and Yan Couto. Additionally, Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, and Marcel Sabitzer are nursing injuries sustained during the match against Augsburg.
Sahin expressed little optimism for Ryerson’s involvement after his injury, while he noted that the chances for Anton and Sabitzer are somewhat better, with decisions regarding their participation being made on a last-minute basis. “Every second counts at the moment,” said Sahin, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.