Borussia Dortmund's manager, Nuri Sahin, is urging his team to maintain consistency as they push for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga. After a much-needed 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, Dortmund moved up to sixth place in the league, just two points behind third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt and fourth-placed RB Leipzig. The win was significant, as it marked their first away victory of the season, breaking a three-game winless streak.
Despite the positive result, Sahin expressed concern over the team's inconsistency. He acknowledged that Dortmund's performances this season have been filled with ups and downs, and emphasized that more stability is needed if they are to achieve their goal of securing a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League. "There were a lot of ups and downs," Sahin commented after the match, indicating his dissatisfaction with the team's overall progress.
Dortmund’s away form had been particularly poor, with only two points gained from their previous away games before the win over Wolfsburg. This marked the worst start to an away campaign for the club in 33 years. Their victory against Wolfsburg was also their first away win since April 13, when they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1, ending an eight-match winless run on the road. Sahin highlighted that while the league table looks better after the win, it could have been even more favorable had they secured a victory against Hoffenheim the previous week, instead of drawing 1-1. That match saw Dortmund take a commanding 3-0 lead, only to falter in the second half, with Pascal Gross receiving a red card after Hoffenheim mounted a comeback.
Julian Brandt, who returned from injury, also reflected on Dortmund's recent performances, noting that a 3-0 lead in the Hoffenheim game should have been enough to secure a comfortable win. He acknowledged that the team’s second-half performance had been subpar and stressed the need for greater confidence in their play going forward.
Maximilian Beier, a 22-year-old player, shared his thoughts on the team's performance and emphasized that Dortmund cannot settle for being in sixth place. "We can't aim to be sixth," Beier stated, urging the team to aim higher. Dortmund had consistently finished in the top four in the Bundesliga between 2015 and 2023 but fell short last season, finishing fifth, 27 points behind champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Looking ahead, Sahin and his team are focused on their next big challenge: a crucial match against Bayer Leverkusen on January 10 at Signal Iduna Park. With the race for the top-four spots still wide open, this upcoming fixture will be vital for Dortmund as they strive to return to their position among Germany’s elite teams. The match will also offer an opportunity for the squad to build on their recent success and demonstrate the consistency that Sahin is calling for in the second half of the season.
