BVB loses in the Champions League – was that it for Nuri Şahin?

The team is completely unsettled, coach Nuri Şahin is badly injured: Borussia Dortmund is reeling and has suffered its fourth defeat in the fourth competitive game of the year in the Champions League. The Revierklub lost 1:2 (1:0) to FC Bologna despite an early lead. The ever-worsening crisis is putting BVB bosses under increasing pressure when it comes to coaching.

There were hardly any bright spots for Dortmund in Italy either. The targeted top eight place and thus direct entry into the round of 16 of the premier class is still possible, but the mood is still at its lowest point.

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy made it 1-0 with a penalty kick (15th minute). Thijs Dallinga (71st) and Samuel Iling-Junior (72nd) turned the game around for the hosts in a very short time. After that, BVB seemed completely disoriented. There were no real chances to equalize.

Şahin surprised with his line-up four days after Frankfurt’s 2-0 defeat. Captain Emre Can and his DFB colleague Julian Brandt, among others, initially stayed outside. Both were actually planned as leading players, but recently did not fill this role as desired. “Now we have to deliver,” said Şahin on Amazon Prime Video shortly before the game. “Now it’s others’ turn.”

And the others got into the game well. Maximilian Beier, who was new to the team, was interrupted at the last moment after a pass from Guirassy. A little later, the BVB fans who had traveled along were able to cheer.

After a foul on Waldemar Anton, Guirassy took the penalty and converted. However, with a lot of luck. The center forward casually chipped the ball onto the goal, Bologna keeper Lukasz Skorupski was on it, but the ball rolled into the net. BVB managing directors Hans-Joachim Watzke and Lars Ricken were clearly relieved after the grueling scene in the stands. Jubilant, Guirassy fell into his coach’s arms – a strong sign.

After Dortmund took the lead, outsiders Bologna took command. During a quick attack by the hosts, Julien Duranville, who had rushed back, cleared the ball in desperate need. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel reacted quickly to a direct pass from the busy Riccardo Orsolini. Shortly afterwards, the Italian attacker had to go out injured – actually a major weakening for Bologna.

The team from Emilia-Romagna nevertheless continued to put pressure on. Cross after cross flew into the Dortmund penalty area. Borussia fought against it with a lot of effort and running, but then failed to pay attention twice within less than two minutes. First Dallinga equalized after an attack from the left. Then the Iling junior, who was also substituted, turned the game around completely.

Dortmund was shocked. BVB, who had to make do in the final phase without Guirassy, ​​who had been substituted with an ailing, were no longer able to fight back and now made numerous glaring errors in the play. Bologna even had several chances to make the victory even clearer. Kobel parried brilliantly several times.

Jamie Leweling led VfB Stuttgart to an unchallenged 3-1 (2-0) win against the still pointless Slovakian club Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Leweling (11th and 36th minutes) and Fabian Rieder (87th) secured the Bundesliga club a good starting position with their goals before the final matchday against Paris Saint-Germain on January 29th. Idjessi Metsoko scored for Bratislava (85th).

Before the remaining games on Wednesday, the Swabians are just among the top 24 teams. This would give them a place in the playoffs and thus a chance to take part in the round of 16.

Bayer Leverkusen has to worry about a direct place in the round of 16 after their second defeat in the current Champions League season. The German soccer champions lost 1-2 (1-0) at Atlético Madrid on Tuesday and left the field as a loser for the first time after eleven wins in a row. In the final home game against Sparta Prague on Wednesday next week (9 p.m.), Leverkusen urgently need a three-pointer to secure a place among the eight best teams. In front of 70,000 spectators at the Estadio Metropolitano, Julian Alvarez (52nd/90th) scored the goals for the hosts. Piero Hincapie (45.1) scored to make it 1-0 for Bayer.

On Wednesday, RB Leipzig welcomes Sporting Lisbon (6.45 p.m.). Bayern Munich plays Feyenoord Rotterdam (9 p.m.).