Nuri Şahin on Borussia Dortmund’s loss to Barcelona: “I don’t want to hear that we played well. I want us to win these games.”

Speaking at his post-match press conference (via kicker), Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Şahin has expressed his frustration at the outcome of Dortmund’s games.

Twice in the game, Dortmund came from behind to equalise with Barcelona and at one point looked like they were even going to win it but a defensive mix-up cost them. 

On the performance of the team, Şahin said: 

“It’s boiling inside me! It’s boiling inside me, I don’t want to hear that we played well. I want us to win these games. We simply have to win a game like this. That makes me sad.” 

The head coach then repeated the message:

“I don’t want to hear that we’re playing well. I want to win these games. I want to win. We have to become winners. We didn’t manage that today.”

After Dortmund’s poor start to the season, they have managed to build consistency in recent weeks, but several times they have failed to get over the line and earn a result that matches their performance. Against Bayern Munich, they conceded right at the end of the game and had chances to extend their lead. The past weekend, Dortmund were the better team for much of the second half against Borussia Mönchengladbach but again failed to convert their chances. While even against Real Madrid they were the much better side in the first half before they collapsed in the second half.

If Dortmund want to be back at the top of the Bundesliga, fighting for the title, then they need to develop a mentality similar to Bayer Leverkusen nowadays where they know that they can win games right at the death, despite maybe not deserving the result. 

However, this is an inherent mindset that has been installed in Dortmund for several seasons now, most obviously seen with their loss of the title on the final day in 2022/23 as well as their Champions League final loss last season.

GGFN | Jack Meenan