Warning to Barcelona? Dortmund says there are no favorites
Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin stated that Wednesday's match against Barcelona, corresponding to the sixth matchday of the Champions League, will be a close encounter with no clear favorites. He emphasized that the form of both teams on the day will be decisive.
"I don’t think there’s a favorite tomorrow. It’s a head-to-head match. I think we have everything to win this game, but Barcelona also has everything to win. Tomorrow, the form on the day will be very important," said the coach of last season’s continental runners-up, who are seeking direct qualification to the round of 16 after securing four victories. He also highlighted the importance of the match: "We want to be among the top eight. We’re playing at home, and we want to win. If we do, we’ll take a giant step forward."
Sahin acknowledged the potential of the Barcelona squad and praised the work of his compatriot Hansi Flick, the coach of the Blaugrana, whom he commended for quickly imprinting his style on the team.
"We know they’re a team that presses high, and we have to stay alert. But we need to play our game and be brave, building from the back. If you try to play against Barcelona only with long balls, you’ll get them back faster than you think," remarked the coach.
The coach also pointed out that this match is special for him, not because of his past with Real Madrid, but because every Champions League game is significant.
Dortmund faces the match with numerous absences. Players Niklas Süle, Julian Brandt, Waldemar Anton, and Filippo Mane are ruled out, while Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi remain doubtful. Regarding Adeyemi, Sahin mentioned he would consider whether it makes sense to risk him after his time away from the pitch.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel expressed optimism about the squad's depth: "We have an excellent squad. It doesn’t matter who’s on the field. Things will work out."
Bundesliga remains the priority
Sahin denied that the Champions League is not a priority for the team this season, but he clarified that the Bundesliga remains the most important competition for Dortmund.
"The Bundesliga is always the most important competition for us, but of course, we want to go far in the Champions League. The first step is to reach the top eight," he concluded.
