Borussia Dortmund travel to Real Madrid on Tuesday in a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s Champions League final, but they arrive in worrying form amid growing criticism of coach Nuri Sahin.
Borussia Dortmund travel to Real Madrid on Tuesday in a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s Champions League final, but they arrive in worrying form amid growing criticism of coach Nuri Sahin.
Expectations were low last year, yet Dortmund defied the odds to reach the showpiece finale at Wembley in June, riding a wave of momentum.
In that fateful match, Dortmund initially dominated the first half and continued their strong performance into the second, only to be felled by Real Madrid’s lethal counter-attack. Conceding twice in the final 20 minutes, Dortmund ultimately lost 2-0, dimming their hopes considerably.
Since that defeat, the once confident coach Edin Terzic was shown the door, a casualty of a disappointing domestic season that concluded with a fifth-place finish. It was Sahin, Terzic’s assistant and a former Dortmund junior, who was thrust into the managerial spotlight.
Having had brief but memorable playing stints at Real Madrid and Liverpool, Sahin has now overseen 10 matches across all competitions but faces his most significant challenge yet in Madrid.
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The current Dortmund side has struggled with consistency and lacks a clear tactical identity, drawing scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. While they kicked off the season with a strong 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the team was later stunned by a hefty 5-1 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart.
Now sitting seventh in the Bundesliga, Dortmund is, however, impressively top of their 36-team Champions League group, with victories against Club Brugge and Celtic.
This stark contrast highlights their remarkable ability to perform at home compared to their dismal away record. In the vibrant atmosphere of the 82,000-strong Westfalenstadion, Dortmund has a perfect record, winning all five home matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding only six.
On the road, though, they have managed just two wins out of five, only securing victories against fourth division Phoenix Luebeck and Brugge, who currently sit fourth in the Belgian league.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been in formidable form, winning all seven of their home matches in all competitions, scoring 19 goals while conceding only four. Dortmund’s attacking options are significantly hampered by injuries, with key players such as Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Giovanni Reyna, and forward-minded defender Yan Couto all sidelined.
Outside of the reliable Gregor Kobel in goal, Dortmund’s sole bright spot is striker Serhou Guirassy, who has been in electrifying form, with 12 goals in his last eight games for club and country.
Sahin’s connection to Real Madrid is also noteworthy; although he had a disappointing tenure at the club after joining following the 2011 Bundesliga title win with a Jurgen Klopp-led Dortmund side, he only featured in ten matches in total. After a loan spell at Liverpool, he returned to Dortmund, where he solidified his legacy.
Despite the surrounding challenges, Sahin believes he has identified his side’s weaknesses, emphasising deficiencies in focus and defensive cohesion. Following an 83rd-minute header by Guirassy that secured a 2-1 win against promoted St Pauli on Friday, an “extremely annoyed” Sahin refused to celebrate the result.
“It’s an issue. It’s not acceptable; we have to do better,” he lamented, reflecting on recurrent lapses in defensive play that have cost his team points.
As they prepare to face a resurgent Real Madrid side featuring Kylian Mbappe, who has found his stride after a slow start this season, Dortmund’s ability to contain the French star will be pivotal.
Though Mbappe did not take part in last season’s encounter at Wembley, Dortmund is no stranger to his capabilities, having faced the Paris Saint-Germain striker four times last season, managing to limit him to just one goal from the penalty spot.
AFP
