Borussia Dortmund continues to face major personnel problems. Coach Nuri Sahin provides an update ahead of the Champions League match against Sturm Graz.
At least Nuri Sahin can now joke about the still very tense personnel situation at Borussia Dortmund. “There will definitely be some places left open,” said the long-suffering BVB coach, referring to the squad positions for his depleted team for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Sturm Graz (9 p.m., RS live ticker), and laughed.
Things had looked very different before Saturday’s 2-1 win against RB Leipzig, which was particularly important for him, when the previously heavily criticized coach rattled off the long list of injured players. Nothing has changed significantly. Although there are no further absences to fear after the weekend, there will be no return of prominent players such as regular goalkeeper Gregor Kobel or national defender Waldemar Anton. “The known absences remain,” announced the 36-year-old.
“My greatest wish would be to rotate without losing quality. Unfortunately, we can’t do that at the moment,” said the Dortmund coach, who appeared much more relaxed than last Friday after four consecutive away defeats. The unexpected victory and, above all, the best performance of the season against Bundesliga runners-up Leipzig, which was considered almost impossible under the circumstances, has suddenly improved the mood around BVB. “Victories naturally help to bring calm,” said sporting director Sebastian Kehl about the previously tense situation, which is set to improve further.
Despite the many absences – at least nine are also expected against the Austrian double winners – a win on Tuesday is a must. “Our mission is clear against them: to win tomorrow,” said Austrian international Marcel Sabitzer, who hails from Graz, in no uncertain terms. The 30-year-old declared himself fit for the game against his former youth club Grazer AK, despite being substituted early on Saturday due to injury.
BVB: Marcel Sabitzer, who hails from Graz, declares himself fit
The BVB midfielder is one of a group of professionals who will have to persevere until the start of the international break after Saturday’s Bundesliga match at FSV Mainz, despite a few injuries. “You have to grit your teeth sometimes. I’m not one to complain,” said Sabitzer about the current busy schedule. “There are more and more games, you hardly get a break. It’s not unusual for things to ache a bit.“
Sahin couldn’t even think about a final training session in the afternoon. ”We can only recover,” said the coach, who was clearly boosted by the Leipzig game but now finds himself in a dilemma. His Dortmund emergency team is unlikely to spring another surprise like they did against Leipzig in Graz. Even with the current squad, fans and those around the club expect a win.
If they don’t succeed, not only will the good starting position in Europe’s premier competition after the two opening wins be gone, but the pressure will also increase very quickly. “We know what situation we’re in,” said Sabitzer. (dpa, RS)