Borussia Dortmund are eager to bounce back after a crushing 5-1 loss to Stuttgart last weekend. With a crucial Bundesliga derby against VfL Bochum on Friday, head coach Nuri Şahin is urging his team to respond positively.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the Stuttgart defeat, Şahin noted that his squad was visibly disheartened. “I could already sense the disappointment in the locker room,” said the Dortmund boss. “The team needs a strong core of players who can be self-critical and reflect on their performance, which I believe is present.”
However, Şahin emphasized that real progress must be evident on the field. “It’s always about what happens on the pitch. We need to demonstrate that we are improving,” he stated. “It’s our responsibility to meet the high standards expected of us.”
Tough test ahead against Bochum
Currently sitting in eighth place in the Bundesliga table, Dortmund trail league leaders Bayern Munich by five points. Despite Bochum being rooted to the bottom of the standings and without a win, Şahin is not underestimating the challenge ahead. Recent encounters between the two sides have been close, with two of their last three meetings ending in 1-1 draws. However, Dortmund have enjoyed success at home, winning their previous two fixtures against Bochum at the Westfalenstadion.
Speaking about the upcoming clash, Şahin was clear: “We need to see a reaction from the team. We aren’t going to abandon our plans because of one bad result, but we must remain firm in our approach and aim to win.”
In terms of squad news, Şahin hinted that both Maximilian Beier and Julien Duranville could feature in the game, while American midfielder Gio Reyna, who picked up an injury during international duty, is nearing a return to fitness.
