On Sunday afternoon, Borussia Dortmund were embarrassed 5-1 away to VfB Stuttgart in a game that exposed the inexperience of their head coach Nuri Şahin. Despite making changes to the structure of the team at half-time to make up for Die Schwarzgelben heading into the break 2-0 down, Şahin’s adjustments only held Dortmund back, allowing Die Roten to score a further three goals. However, in all honesty, it could have been worse for BvB, with Şahin explaining after the final whistle that a Dortmund side can never perform like that regardless of the circumstances.
Newly-appointed BVB trainer Nuri Sahin immediately huddled his players up following Sunday's embarrassing 1-5 defeat away at Stuttgart on Sunday evening. Sahin's first loss in six competitive fixtures in charge of the "high expectation" Westphalians certainly shifts the calculus for the man placed in charge of a "high pressure" club.
A week that featured a widely praised league win over Heidenheim and a winning start to the UCL campaign has suddenly gone sour. The-36-year-old, after facing his team, faced the microphones of German broadcaster DAZN. Sahin was joined shortly thereafter by former VfB Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton, who controversially signed for Dortmund this summer.
"One doesn't see that coming," Sahin continued, "We were unified and had a good feeling at the end of training yesterday. The fact is that Borussia Dortmund can't represent itself like that. It's the first time that's happened under me. That was a total non-performance."
"I can't really add anything to what you saw on the pitch," Sahin said as it was time to wrap up, "I don't want to see such a show from my team ever again. We'll try and get fit in time for Friday [against Bochum]. I won't accept this as a coach."
"We didn't play a good game today," Anton added in his own interview, "No basics. Defensively today that was nothing. Mistakes were made. We will analyze them."
"I knew what was coming my way here today," Anton said of his summer move, "The fans had to say their piece. That's understandable. I'll just move on. I'll keep going."
Days after going down 3-1 at Real Madrid in the Champions League, Stuttgart dominated a disappointing Dortmund at home thanks to a brace from Deniz Undav and goals from Ermedin Demirovic, Enzo Millot and El Bilal Toure.
Dortmund had raided last season's surprise runners-up Stuttgart in the summer, signing captain Waldemar Anton and striker Serhou Guirassy who had scored 28 goals in 28 league games.
Champions League finalists in June, Dortmund came into the match yet to lose this season but were 2-0 down in 21 minutes.
Undav cut in on the break just four minutes in and Demirovic -- Guirassy's replacement up front -- headed in a second on the 21-minute mark.
Millot, who like Undav upgraded his loan deal to a permanent move in the summer, tapped in after a corner to put Stuttgart in control.
Guirassy pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining, but Stuttgart scored twice in the closing stages through Bilal Toure and Undav to top off a dominant victory.
Dortmund's Defensive Woes
The match exposed Dortmund’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the first half. The lack of communication and poor positioning allowed Stuttgart to break through the defense with ease, creating numerous chances. This was evident in the early goals scored by Undav and Demirovic, who were given too much space and time in the box. This performance is concerning for Dortmund, as it highlights their susceptibility to counter-attacks and individual mistakes.
Stuttgart's Clinical Finishing
Stuttgart's victory was not just about their strong midfield and disciplined defending. It was also about their clinical finishing. They took their chances with precision and efficiency, making the most of the opportunities they created. Undav's brace was a testament to his ability to exploit space and finish with composure. While the Stuttgart attack was more clinical and consistent, Dortmund seemed lackluster and unconvinced of their ability to score, which was exemplified by the missed opportunities they had.
The Impact of Coach Changes
Nuri Şahin, still finding his footing as a coach, was expected to introduce a new tactical approach for Dortmund. While he made adjustments at half-time, they were not effective in stemming the tide of the game. This suggests that Şahin’s tactics may need more refinement and understanding from his players. It remains to be seen how he will adapt to the demands of managing a high-pressure team like Dortmund and if he can build a stronger defensive foundation.
What's Next for Dortmund?
The defeat to Stuttgart serves as a wake-up call for Dortmund, who will need to learn from this experience and improve quickly. Their next game against local rivals VfL Bochum on Friday evening will be a crucial test of their ability to bounce back from this disappointment. The pressure is on Şahin and his players to demonstrate that their performance against Stuttgart was a one-off and that they can compete at the highest level. The team will need to find a way to regain confidence, tighten up their defense, and rediscover their attacking prowess. Failure to do so could see their early season ambitions suffer a significant setback.
The Future of the Two Teams
This match has significant implications for both teams. Stuttgart, aiming for another strong season, are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. They are exhibiting the same attacking intensity and defensive resilience that made them surprise package last year. On the other hand, Dortmund’s defeat casts a shadow on their ambitions for the season, forcing them to reconsider their current strategies and find ways to address their defensive shortcomings. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the coming weeks and how they react to the pressure of the Bundesliga’s fierce competition.
