The end for Nuri Şahin, Dortmund’s squad issues, and more | Three things we learned as Borussia Dortmund crumbled against Bologna

Borussia Dortmund were unable to secure their first victory of 2025, falling 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 of an hour, there was a sense that it would be a long night for Die Schwarzgelben in the north of Italy.

However, from 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 fortunate panenka—an interesting choice given Dortmund’s current circumstances.

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

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 on the road once again.

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

The end of the road for Nuri Şahin 

Despite suffering three straight Bundesliga defeats since returning from the Winterpause, Dortmund’s director of sport, 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 up the fact that BvB were 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 ability.

However, whatever faith was remaining in Şahin would have been wiped out entirely over the course of ninety minutes at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, as the performance against Bologna was certainly not desirable.

For a side in desperate need to display a positive performance in order to prove their worth, they could not have achieved the opposite if they had tried.

Dortmund appeared void of ideas when in possession, with a lack of impetus plaguing their game in all three thirds of the pitch.

Three shots were registered from a BvB persuasion by the time the final whistle rolled around, fourteen less than Bologna achieved, and considering 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 needed

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

For a side in as much trouble as Die Schwarzgelben are, sitting in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, this is nothing more than a severe neglection of duty from a squad management perspective.

BvB are crying out for midfield and defensive reinforcement, and Rashford is quite simply not going to fill that role, while Veiga offers a slight reprieve at left-back for six months, before that issue rears its ugly head once 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 alter this, the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been used out of position since departing the Premier League.

As well as this, Dortmund’s defending 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 that the Serie A side would eventually find a route back into the game.

The loss of Mats Hummels can be felt, and perhaps a leader is what Dortmund need at the back in order to organise what has become the most haphazard defensive unit the club has seen for 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 has not worked out, and now it is time for Dortmund to find a head coach who can offer the club a clearer direction and one that would be far more positive.

Having lost Mats Hummels and Marco Reus in the summer has clearly affected the leadership within the side, and it will be up to the 36-year-old’s replacement to instil this from the sideline should the club fail to secure the services of an experienced body or two in 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 display either.

Whoever does take charge will have an uphill battle on their hands, but they would be walking into a far more appealing environment than many other clubs who find themselves in perilous situations.

However, those in charge at BvB have to ensure they make the correct appointment rather than find a convenient alternative.

GGFN | Will Shopland