Borussia Dortmund failed to secure their first win of 2025, losing 2-1 to Bologna in the Champions League as pressure continues to mount on Nuri Şahin.
With little action in the first quarter of an hour, it felt like it was going to be a long night for Die Schwarzgelben in northern Italy.
However, seemingly out of nowhere, BvB would be awarded a penalty for tugging at Nico Schlotterbeck’s jersey, allowing Serhou Guirassy to find the back of the net with a lucky panenka – an interesting choice given Dortmund’s current circumstances.
The remainder of the first half would then be dominated by Bologna, but a goal would elude the hosts, along with a possible penalty that virtually mimicked the incident at the other end of the pitch earlier in the contest.
Either way, the second half would be more fruitful for the Italian team, who scored two goals in quick succession to turn the match around, as Dortmund once again collapsed on the road.
The visitors ultimately never looked like they would find a way back into the game, as the full-time whistle ensured that Die Schwarzgelben would suffer four defeats in a row, leaving Şahin’s future in serious doubt.
The end of the road for Nuri Şahin
Despite three consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga since returning from the Winterpause, Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken and their sporting director Sebastian Kehl have made it clear that Şahin will be in charge of their clash in Italy..
While this could have hidden the fact that BvB had yet to find a potential replacement for the 36-year-old, it could also be that he still had an ounce of confidence left in his abilities.
However, whatever faith remained in Şahin would have been entirely destroyed during the ninety minutes at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, as the performance against Bologna was certainly not desirable.
For a team that desperately needed to put up a positive performance in order to prove their worth, they couldn’t have achieved otherwise if they tried.
Dortmund looked empty of ideas when in possession, with a lack of impetus weighing on their play in three thirds of the pitch.
Three shots were recorded by BvB at the time of the final whistle, fourteen fewer than Bologna, and given that one of them came from the penalty spot, it could almost illustrate why the end of the road is in sight for Nuri Şahin.
Winter transfers are necessary
So far this winter, Borussia Dortmund have been linked with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Renato Veiga.
-For a team as struggling as Die Schwarzgelben, sitting in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, this is nothing more than a serious dereliction of duty from a team management perspective.
BvB needs reinforcements in midfield and defense, and Rashford just isn’t going to fill that rolewhile Veiga offers the left-back a slight reprieve for six months, before that problem rears its ugly head again.
With Julian Brandt underperforming in midfield, there is a drastic lack of creativity in the middle of the park for BvB, and although Pascal Groß could change that, the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been used out of position since leaving the Premier League.
Additionally, Dortmund’s defense against Bologna – and for most of the season for that matter – resembled that of a Sunday championship team, as the lack of discipline, awareness and positional sense ensured that the The Serie A team would eventually find a way forward. get back in the game.
The loss of Mats Hummels is felt, and perhaps a leader is what Dortmund needs at the back in order to organize what has become the most haphazard defensive unit the club has seen in many years. years.
Borussia Dortmund needs direction
Offering Nuri Şahin the job this summer was always a risk for BvB, but it was a calculated risk they were willing to take.
Either way, it didn’t work, and now it’s time for Dortmund to find a head coach who can offer the club a clearer and much more positive direction.
The loss of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus this summer has clearly affected the leadership within the team, and it will be up to the 36-year-old replacement to instil it from the bench if the club fail to secure the services of an experienced organization. or two on the transfer market.
A more attractive, but ultimately effective, style of play will also be necessary, as despite positive performances at home early in the campaign, Dortmund have not been able to display any either.
Whoever takes charge will have an uphill battle aheadbut they would be entering a much more attractive environment than many other clubs who find themselves in perilous situations.
However, BvB officials must be careful to make the right appointment rather than finding a convenient alternative.
GGFN | Will Shopland
