Bundesliga: “Victory for Nuri” – BVB’s true test follows away

Brief relief, new worries: The challenges for Borussia Dortmund’s long-suffering head coach Nuri Sahin are not getting any less despite the important fifth win in the fifth home game of the season. After the wildly celebrated 2:1 (1:1) against second-placed RB Leipzig, BVB is worried about the use of four more players in the Champions League on Tuesday (9 p.m./DAZN) against Sturm Graz.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if a few more were added now,” said Sahin after the courageous performance of his core squad. Marcel Sabitzer, who had to go down due to muscular problems, is particularly worried. According to Sahin, Ramy Bensebaini, Jamie Gittens and Felix Nmecha are also injured.

“Walking on your gums”

Even if one to three injured players are expected to return to the compulsory game against Graz, the list of absentees could even grow. “We’re on the fence here. We have to somehow save ourselves from this injury situation during the international break,” Sahin continued. In addition to the game on Tuesday, there is also the disgusting away game on Saturday at FSV Mainz in the league. Bensebaini will definitely be missed. The resurgent left-back saw his fifth yellow card against Leipzig.

Even against Leipzig, Dortmund were missing ten players; apart from Donyell Malen, the bench was filled with nameless players from the third division team. There were correspondingly great fears that the pressure on Sahin would continue to increase after three competitive defeats in a row. “Even though we’re on our toes right now, the boys gave it their all. That’s very, very good,” said Sahin.

BVB sports director Kehl: “Victory for Nuri and his coaching team”

Quite a few observers saw a statement in the strong and courageous performance of the Dortmund emergency team against harmless and extremely disappointing guests. “This is of course also a victory for Nuri and his coaching team,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl. Only the current Leipzig coach Marco Rose managed five home wins in a row at the start as a coach in Dortmund – he ended up with seven.

National defender Nico Schlotterbeck also emphasized how much the team supports Sahin, who is only 36 years old: “The match plan was outstanding and we implemented it well this time. The coach is doing a fantastic job for me.”

Kehl also used the moment to advertise on his own behalf. “This shows that we stand together. This shows that the squad is intact,” said the ex-captain. Recently there was also clear criticism of the squad composition. The squad is too small to be able to perform according to requirements in all competitions. If certain players are unavailable, entire team attributes such as speed are lost. “I have no doubt about this team. We had a great team on the pitch today,” said Kehl with a hint of satisfaction.

Further steps must follow – especially away from home

However, the word “but” remains. By beating Leipzig, Dortmund stays in touch with the Champions League ranks in the table – qualification for the UEFA money printing machine is the criterion that will ultimately decide the job of every BVB coach. But this is only a first step out of the crisis.

If the core squad fails against Graz on Tuesday, the great starting position after the two opening victories would be lost. Even if the home series holds – so far the Westphalians have won every competitive home game this season – new trouble threatens in the Bundesliga. Because Dortmund is currently doing next to nothing away from home. In the league there is a meager point from four games.

“The energy and the fans give us the last extra push,” said Schlotterbeck about the home strength. Without the power of the 80,000 people behind us, hardly anything would work. Kehl was unable to answer why this was the case. “That’s a legitimate question,” said the 44-year-old. “We will of course take a look at it.” The players on the pitch will have to give the answer. “Of course, victories help to bring calm,” said Kehl.