Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin remains optimistic as his team prepares for a pivotal Champions League encounter against Bologna, despite a challenging domestic season. Dortmund’s recent struggles in the Bundesliga have been evident, with their latest setback coming in a 2-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. This marked their third consecutive league loss, leaving them 10th in the table with 25 points. They now trail the top four by seven points and find themselves a staggering 20 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.
While Dortmund’s Bundesliga form has been disappointing, their performance in Europe tells a more hopeful story. After last year’s narrow loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley, Sahin’s side has demonstrated resilience this season. With 12 points from six matches, they are just one point away from securing automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Over their last 16 Champions League group-stage matches, they’ve suffered only three defeats, though one of those came recently in a 3-2 loss to Barcelona.
Tuesday’s clash against Bologna at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara offers a chance for Dortmund to regain momentum and confidence. Speaking ahead of the match, Sahin expressed optimism about his team’s prospects in Europe, where he believes they have performed better than in the Bundesliga. "The Champions League is a different stage. The stars align better for us here," Sahin said. "A victory tomorrow could not only secure a crucial step toward the round of 16 but also help us rebuild morale."
Addressing the ongoing struggles in the Bundesliga, Sahin admitted the losing streak has impacted both him and his players but stressed that he doesn’t feel undue personal pressure. "Of course, it affects each individual, but I don’t feel any pressure at all. We all share the responsibility to deliver," he said. He emphasized that collective effort and resilience are key to overcoming their current challenges.
Sahin hopes a strong Champions League performance will not only keep Dortmund’s European campaign alive but also act as a catalyst for improvement in their domestic form. With their Bundesliga campaign hanging in the balance, success in Europe could provide the spark needed to reignite their season and inspire confidence among fans and players alike.
