Internals released from cabin
Unrest at BVB is becoming ever greater
12/20/2024 – 8:01 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Borussia Dortmund is clearly lagging behind its own demands. Coach Şahin increases the pressure – and now also has an internal problem.
The only consistency at Borussia Dortmund is the crisis at the end of the year. BVB didn’t win a single one of the last ten games in December. If VfL Wolfsburg doesn’t finally get their first away win of the season in the last game of the year on Sunday, there will be a little contemplative Christmas in Dortmund. Coach Nuri Şahin made this clear on Friday.
The 36-year-old made clear statements to his team: “We all have to be aware of the big club we play for. Anyone who isn’t aware of that is in the wrong place here.” And further: “Of course there have to be sporting consequences.” Finally: “Not every player has the right to be tired.”
Şahin’s last statement referred to a topic that he himself raised after the disappointing 1-1 draw against 1899 Hoffenheim last Sunday. His team’s running performance remained below average. Not for the first time this season, Sahin explained, his team had problems at the end of an English week.
But BVB – and therefore also Şahin – has a completely different problem, because Sky reported internal matters from the dressing room the day after the game against Hoffenheim. According to the report, Şahin gave an emotional speech to his team, where he is said to have held parts of the team, including the trio Ramy Bensebaini, Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer, responsible and asked: “Are you winners?” According to Sky, a BVB player is said to have replied: “Apparently not, if we are eighth…”
According to a report by “Bild”, the speech was said to have taken place on a different day. Maybe after the defeat against Barcelona.
Dortmund is under enormous pressure at the end of the year. BVB is already five points behind in fourth place – the minimum goal for the season by which every coach in Dortmund has to be measured. “Our first goal of the season every year is to qualify for the Champions League. And we’re not blind, we can read the table. So: Yes, reaching fourth place, that’s our homework at the moment,” said sports director Lars Ricken the “Sport Bild”.
In view of the grotesque away weakness, an “immense effort” is now required. But Sahin probably doesn’t have to worry about his job yet – even if things go wrong again in Wolfsburg. “We will only be able to overcome this challenge if everyone at BVB – every employee – pulls together,” said Ricken.