“Like make-up”: Sahin criticizes the grass – and fears for the “irreplaceable”

Struck: Julian Brandt (left) leaves the pitch in Zagreb during the break.
picture alliance/dpa

“We've played two really good games now,” said Nuri Sahin after the game in Zagreb – and also alluded to the clear 4-0 win against SC Freiburg last Saturday. “We played patiently today against an extremely deep opponent. The boys held their position well,” said the BVB coach, pleased with his team's calm performance.

Nico Schlotterbeck saw it similarly. “Twelve points from five games – that's very good,” said the defender about the four wins from five games in the newly designed group phase of the Champions League. “That’s impressive,” said Sahin with a small smile as he looked at the table.

Schlotterbeck: “That’s why we put the iron studs on it”

There was definitely one point on the ultimately successful evening that could have made the game a problem from Dortmund's point of view – namely the playing surface: “The grass actually looked good before. But that was like make-up on the pitch. On one “With better grass we would have had more options,” said Sahin.

Schlotterbeck agreed with him clearly. “That was terrible. It looked very good, but it was very soapy and slippery. But that's why we put the iron studs on it, the deep ones…” said the defender.

“It will be difficult”: Brandt has thigh problems

While the BVB players ultimately dealt with the grass problem confidently in the game, the injury suffered by Julian Brandt, who did not return to the field after half-time due to a thigh problem, remained a downer – especially in view of the top Bundesliga game against FC Bayern next Saturday (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.).

“I think it will be a close weekend. I hope he comes back quickly because he is almost irreplaceable for us,” said Sahin, making it clear the importance of the creative player for his team. “It will be difficult,” said Brandt himself. BVB will probably have to do without the 28-year-old, at least against Munich.