Borussia Dortmund finds itself engulfed in yet another crisis as they stand precariously on the eighth rung of the Bundesliga table under the management of Nuri Sahin.
Just days before the winter break, the club, which only eked out one of 18 possible points away from home this season, is at risk of tumbling to eleventh place following their upcoming match against VfL Wolfsburg.
Despite the struggle, Sahin has managed to garner the respect and trust of his squad, unlike his predecessor Edin Terzic, who struggled to maintain credibility during similarly turbulent times the previous year. Even though Sahin's squad currently has three fewer points after 14 matches compared to Terzic’s last season, there are underlying signs of progress.
One notable shift under Sahin is the more active style of football being employed. The BVB, commonly referred to as Borussia Dortmund, is demonstrating significantly higher ball possession rates compared to the previous year. Statistics show the team is engaging more frequently and with greater intensity on the ball, leading to increased forward passing attempts and vertical attacks per match compared to Terzic's tenure. Football analysts Patrick Berger and Nico Lutz, writing for sky.de, highlight this as one of the silver linings of Sahin's approach.
Despite these tactical adjustments, the results have yet to manifest positively, as the squad's defensive frailties have also been laid bare. While Sahin's men have displayed more attacking prowess, scoring more goals, they have concurrently allowed more goals against. The juxtaposition of offensive output versus defensive decline highlights the complexity of the changes implemented under Sahin’s guidance.
During the previous season, Dortmund’s defense boasted only 9.2 ball losses within 40 meters from their own goal per game—the poorest performance across the Bundesliga. Currently, under Sahin, this statistic shows signs of improvement with nearly three fewer ball losses per match. Credit for this uptick goes to defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Pascal Groß, with whom the team has begun to solidify their build-up play.
Yet, for every two steps forward, there appears to be one step back. Dortmund continues to struggle with their crossing game, averaging only 12.6 crosses per match—albeit up from just over nine per match last season—meaning they still rank firmly mid-table for this statistic. The lack of effective wing play has left star striker Serhou Guirassy underutilized, with the squad still grappling to create opportunities efficiently.
Central to the turmoil has been the recurring question of mentality. Following the 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim, Sahin confronted his players directly, asking, "Are you all winners?" This stark inquiry highlights the longstanding concern surrounding Dortmund's inability to perform consistently and their alarming habit of fluctuated performances—a challenge equally faced by Terzic during his tenure.
Under Sahin's watch, Dortmund's squad is tackling significant issues, including injuries, lack of depth, and the inherent pressure of competing at the highest level. All these factors raise flags heading toward the second half of the season, prompting serious scrutiny around how many losses Sahin can realistically afford before the board potentially reassesses his position.
Historically, Borussia Dortmund has seen significant variations in terms of performance depending on the coach at the helm. The current plight under Sahin draws comparisons to Terzic, who was critiqued for leaving his squad unprepared during away matches and failing to integrate new signings effectively. Observer consensus notes the similarities, with both coaches seemingly withstanding amplified performance pressure coupled with lackluster results.
The BVB's failure to convert periods of possession and build upon leads has haunted them throughout the first half of the season, and the club’s management is poised to inquire about the team’s identity moving forward. With Sahin steady as captain of the ship, the looming specter of another managerial overhaul appears, spurring speculation about whether the Dortmund hierarchy retains confidence.
Looking beyond the immediate scrutiny of results, insights compiled from various analysts and fans alike point to the opportunity for Sahin to cultivate his philosophy and imprint his identity onto the team. While some statistics reflect improvement, the pressing question remains whether such enhancements will translate to victories when it matters.
But the clock is ticking, and the upcoming fixtures may prove decisive for both Sahin and the overall aspirations of Borussia Dortmund this season. Will the unfortunate trend continue, or will the team rally together to navigate through these turbulent waters? Only time can tell if the fortunes of this storied football club will turn around as the season resumes.
