Borussia Dortmund's hopes of turning around their struggling Bundesliga season hit yet another wall after suffering their third consecutive defeat, this time against Eintracht Frankfurt, who secured a 2-0 victory at Deutsche Bank Park on the 18th matchday. The loss leaves Dortmund languishing at 10th place with only 25 points, raising serious concerns about their chances of competing for Champions League qualification.
Frankfurt took the lead early in the match through Hugo Ekitiké, who scored after 18 minutes following a well-executed counterattack. The young forward capitalized on some defensive confusion among the Dortmund players to finish coolly from close range after receiving the ball back from Rasmus Kristensen.
The home side seemed to have control over the game, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. Ansgar Knauff nearly doubled the advantage shortly after Ekitiké's goal, hitting the post with his shot. Despite having periods of decent possession, Dortmund struggled to break down Frankfurt's compact defense.
Coach Nuri Sahin’s tactical implementation was met with skepticism as he deployed three central defenders, attempting to shore up the backline. This decision did not pay off, as Dortmund continued to make mistakes, putting them under pressure from Frankfurt's advances. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel also had moments to forget, including one particularly harrowing moment just seconds after kickoff, where he nearly let the hosts score due to poor distribution.
Despite several substitutions aimed at injecting energy and creativity, including the introduction of offensive players like Yan Couto, Dortmund looked devoid of ideas as they pushed for the equalizer. Instead, it was Frankfurt who sealed the game late on when Oscar Hojlund, recently brought on as a substitute, scored the second goal deep in stoppage time, cementing the victory for the hosts.
With losses piling up, speculation around Sahin's future has intensified. Post-match, Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged the bitter loss and stated, "We have questions to answer, results to achieve. We will continue with this configuration, Nuri has our trust. We need results." This statement offers insight yet also reflects the precarious nature of Sahin’s position as the team falters.
Adding to the drama, Eintracht Frankfurt prepared for this match without key forward Omar Marmoush, who is expected to finalize his transfer to Manchester City soon. Despite his absence, Frankfurt showcased excellent form, with Ekitiké praised for his significant role. "It looks like he is leaving us," Krösche confirmed post-match, signaling Marmoush’s impending departure.
The recurring mishaps on the field for Dortmund have fans and analysts questioning whether the club has learned from its errors. The team's lack of urgency and creativity upfront coupled with defensive mistakes has turned their season grim. Sahin's promise of improvement did not materialize, as reflected by his statement prior to the match, “I know the boys will be there and we will show a reaction.” The reaction was, unfortunately, missing.
With time running out to salvage the season, Dortmund's situation becomes dire. Eleven points now separate them from the Champions League qualification spots, compelling the management to contemplate swift and decisive changes. The team needs to regroup quickly, starting with their next match against Bologna, which has now become more of a lifeline for Sahin if he hopes to retain his job.
This defeat was not just another loss but rather emblematic of Borussia Dortmund’s tumultuous season so far, calling for serious reflection on the club's direction and strategy moving forward.