Borussia Dortmund were unable to secure their first victory of 2025, falling to a 2-1 defeat against Bologna in the Champions League as the pressure continues to pile on Nuri Şahin.
With little action in the opening quarter of an hour, there was a sense that it would be a long night for Die Schwarzgelben in the north of Italy.
However, from nowhere, BVB would win a penalty for a traction in Nico Schlotterbeck’s shirt, allowing Serhou Guirsy to the back of the network with Panenka possibilities, an attractive selection given the existing Dortmund circumstances.
The rest of the first part would be the domination of Bologna, however, a goal would escape the hosts, as a possible penalty shot that almost imitated the incident in the other previous aspect in the fight.
Regardless, the second half would be more fruitful for the Italian outfit, who found two goals in quick succession to turn the game on its head, as Dortmund crumbled on the road once again.
In the end, the visitors never seemed to find a way back into the game, as the final whistle ensured that Die Schwarzgelben suffered 4 direct defeats, leaving Şahin’s long streak in serious doubt.
Despite the 3 defeats directly in the Bundesliga since returning from the winter break, Dortmund director Lars Ricken and director Sebastian Kehl have made it clear that Şahin will be at the rate of their clash in Italy.
While this could have been to cover up the fact that BvB were yet to find a potential replacement for the 36-year-old, it could also have been that there was still an ounce of faith left in his ability.
However, whatever the religion in şahin, the Renato Dall’ara stadium would have been completely destroyed in 80 minutes, because the functionality in front of Bologna is not desirable.
On the one hand, in the desperate desire to demonstrate positive functionality to develop their value, they may simply not have achieved the opposite if they had tried.
Dortmund gave the impression devoid of concepts in possession, with a lack of impulse that affects his game three thirds of the field.
Three shots were registered from a BvB persuasion by the time the final whistle rolled around, fourteen less than Bologna achieved, and considering one was from the penalty spot, this could all but highlight why the end of the road is in sight for Nuri Şahin.
So far this winter, Borussia Dortmund have been linked with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Renato Veiga.
For a side in as much trouble as Die Schwarzgelben are, sitting in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, this is nothing more than a severe neglection of duty from a squad management perspective.
BVB are crying out for a midfielder and defensive reinforcement, and Rashford will simply fulfill this role, while Veiga is lightly suspended on the left for six months, before this number rears its ugly head.
With Julian Brandt underperforming in midfield, there is a drastic lack of creativity in the middle of the park for BvB, and while Pascal Groß could alter this, the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been used out of position since departing the Premier League.
Moreover, Dortmund’s defense against Bologna (and during most of the season) resembled that of a Sunday League team, since the lack of discipline, consciousness and sense of positioning assured that the team of the team Series A will find a path. In the game.
The loss of Mats Hummels can be felt, and perhaps a leader is what Dortmund wants at the back to organize what has the most random defensive unit the club has seen in several years.
Offering Nuri Şahin the job in the summer was always a risk for BvB, but it was a calculated one that they were willing to take.
Regardless, it has not worked out, and now it is time for Dortmund to find a head coach who can offer the club a clearer direction and one that would be far more positive.
Having lost Mats Hummels and Marco Reus in the summer has clearly affected the leadership within the side, and it will be up to the 36-year-old’s replacement to instil this from the sideline should the club fail to secure the services of an experienced body or two in the transfer market.
A more attractive, but ultimately effective, style of play will also be required, as despite positive home performances at the start of the campaign, Dortmund have not been able to display either.
Whoever does take charge will have an uphill battle on their hands, but they would be walking into a far more appealing environment than many other clubs who find themselves in perilous situations.
However, the BvB directors prefer to arrange the right appointment rather than look for a suitable alternative.
Ggfn | Will Shopland
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