The end of Nuri Şahin, Dortmund’s squad problems and more | Three things we learned when Borussia Dortmund crumbled against Bologna

Borussia Dortmund were unable to secure their first win of 2025 and fell to a 2-1 defeat against Bologna in the Champions League as the pressure continues to pile on Nuri Şahin.

With little action in the opening quarter, there was a sense that it was going to be a long night for Die Schwarzgelben in northern Italy.

But out of seemingly nowhere, BvB would win a penalty for a pull on Nico Schlotterbeck’s shirt, allowing Serhou Guirassy to find the back of the net with a lucky panenka – an interesting choice given Dortmund’s current circumstances.

The rest of the first half would subsequently be Bologna dominance, but a goal would elude the hosts, as well as a potential penalty that practically mimicked the incident at the other end of the pitch earlier in the match.

Regardless, the second half would be more fruitful for the Italian outfit, who found two goals in quick succession to turn the game on its head as Dortmund crumbled away again.

The visitors ultimately never looked like finding a way back into the game as the full-time whistle ensured it would be four defeats in a row for Die Schwarzgelben, leaving Şahin’s future in serious doubt.

The end of the road for Nuri Şahin

Despite suffering three straight Bundesliga defeats since returning from the winter break, Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken and their sporting director Sebastian Kehl made it clear that Şahin would be in charge of their clash in Italy.

While this could have been to cover for BvB yet to find a potential replacement for the 36-year-old, it could also have been that there was still an ounce of faith left in his abilities.

Whatever faith was left in Şahin would have been wiped out in the space of ninety minutes at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium as the performance against Bologna was certainly not desirable.

For a side in desperate need of a positive performance to prove their worth, they couldn’t have achieved the opposite if they had tried.

Dortmund appeared out of ideas when in possession, with a lack of momentum plaguing their play in all three-thirds of the pitch.

Three shots were registered from a BvB persuasion as the final whistle rolled around, fourteen fewer than Bologna managed, and given that one was from the penalty spot, this could all but highlight why the end of the road is in sight for Nuri Şahin.

Winter transfers are required

So far this winter, Borussia Dortmund have been linked with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Renato Veiga.

For a team in as much trouble as Die Schwarzgelben, sitting in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, this is nothing short of a serious dereliction of duty from a team management perspective.

BvB is crying out for midfield and defensive reinforcement, and Rashford is simply not going to fill that rolewhile Veiga offers a slight reprieve at left-back 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 while Pascal Groß could change this, the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been used out of position since leaving the Premier League.

Beyond this, Dortmund’s defense against Bologna – and for most of the season for that matter – resembled that of a Sunday League side as a lack of discipline, awareness and positional sense ensured the Serie A side would eventually find a route back into the game.

The loss of Mats Hummels is being felt and perhaps a leader is what Dortmund need at the back to organize what has become the most haphazard defensive unit the club has seen in many a year.

Borussia Dortmund need direction

Offering Nuri Şahin the job in the summer was always a risk for BvB, but it was a calculated one that they were willing to take.

Regardless, it hasn’t worked out and now it’s time for Dortmund to find a head coach who can offer the club a clearer direction and one that would be far more positive.

Losing Mats Hummels and Marco Reus this summer has clearly affected the management of the side and it will be up to the 36-year-old’s replacement to instill this from the sidelines if the club fail to secure the services of an experienced body. or two on the transfer market.

A more attractive, but ultimately effective, style of play will also be required, as despite positive home performances at the start of the campaign, Dortmund have not been able to show either.

Whoever takes charge will have an uphill battlebut they would be entering a far more appealing environment than many other clubs who find themselves in perilous situations.

However, those responsible at BvB must ensure that they are making the right agreement rather than finding a practical alternative.

GGFN | Will Shopland