Dortmund's Sahin Under Pressure as Injuries Mount Ahead of Leipzig Clash
Borussia Dortmund's head coach, Nuri Sahin, faces mounting pressure as he prepares his struggling squad for a crucial home clash against second-placed RB Leipzig on Saturday. Sahin’s debut season as Dortmund’s manager has been far from smooth, with injuries stacking up and inconsistent form putting the team under significant strain. Currently seventh in the Bundesliga, Dortmund are seven points behind the league leaders after eight matches, a position that doesn’t reflect their ambitions.
One of Dortmund's biggest issues has been their poor away form. The team has failed to secure a single away win in the league, losing their last five games on the road across all competitions. This run was extended by a disappointing 1-0 defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in the German Cup second round, intensifying the pressure on Sahin. In contrast, Dortmund has maintained a solid home record, winning all four league matches at Signal Iduna Park. However, any slip-up against Leipzig on Saturday could worsen the scrutiny surrounding Sahin’s position and challenge the team's resilience.
Acknowledging the disappointing start, Sahin has made it clear that his priority remains the club’s progress, not his personal situation. “It’s not about me. It’s about the club, and I, as a coach, have the responsibility. Believe me, it’s extremely bitter and disappointing to be in this situation,” Sahin shared after the recent cup exit. Despite the setbacks, he emphasized that the only solution is to "keep working," but his attempts at continuity have been complicated by a growing injury list.
Injuries have hit Dortmund hard, leaving several key players unavailable for Saturday’s match. Wingers Karim Adeyemi and Julien Duranville, as well as versatile attacking midfielder Gio Reyna, are sidelined. Defenders Niklas Suele, Julian Ryerson, and Yan Couto have also been ruled out, adding to Dortmund’s defensive woes. The situation forced Sahin to cancel Wednesday's scheduled open training session, opting instead for individual fitness work due to the limited squad. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is dealing with a knock but is likely to be available, while defender Waldemar Anton, who is recovering, could potentially be in the lineup.
In contrast, Leipzig enters this match in peak form, unbeaten in the league and coming off four consecutive Bundesliga victories. Their latest win, a confident 4-2 victory over St Pauli in the German Cup, highlights their attacking prowess and momentum as they currently share the top spot with Bayern Munich on 20 points. Leipzig’s efficiency in front of goal and their depth of options give them a strong chance against a weakened Dortmund.
Meanwhile, league leaders Bayern Munich—who have scored a staggering 29 goals in their first eight matches—are set to face Union Berlin on Saturday, while champions Bayer Leverkusen will host VfB Stuttgart on Friday. The competition at the top is fierce, and Dortmund, currently at risk of slipping further down the table, will need to dig deep against Leipzig to restore confidence and keep their ambitions alive. As Sahin’s side grapples with injuries and pressure, their resilience will be put to the ultimate test this weekend.
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