Borussia Dortmund suffered a painful defeat on Sunday evening during their visit to VfB Stuttgart. Nuri Sahin's team lost by a wide margin: 5-1.
Borussia Dortmund’s trip to Stuttgart on Sunday evening turned into a nightmare as the team endured a crushing 5-1 defeat, one that leaves coach Nuri Sahin’s side struggling for form in the Bundesliga.
The match started disastrously for Dortmund, with Stuttgart taking the lead after just four minutes. Deniz Undav, the German striker, opened the scoring with a precise shot that deflected off the inside of the post, leaving Dortmund stunned and on the back foot early in the game.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for Dortmund. Just over 15 minutes later, Ermedin Demirovic doubled Stuttgart’s advantage. The Bosnian forward connected perfectly with a beautiful cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt, heading the ball past Dortmund’s goalkeeper and deepening the crisis for the visiting team. Dortmund’s defense looked vulnerable and disorganized, and the early goals exposed the cracks in their backline.
Despite the poor start, Sahin made adjustments at halftime, introducing two substitutes in an attempt to turn the game around. However, these changes failed to have the desired effect, and Dortmund continued to struggle to gain control of the match. Stuttgart capitalized on their opponents’ disarray and added a third goal on the hour mark. This time, it was Enzo Miliot who found the back of the net, rifling a shot in after a clever corner variation caught Dortmund’s defense napping.
With an hour gone and Dortmund trailing 3-0, Sahin brought on Donyell Malen in a desperate bid to salvage something from the game. The Dutchman’s arrival provided a brief spark for the visitors, and it was Malen who helped orchestrate Dortmund’s lone goal of the evening. Fittingly, it was Serhou Guirassy, Dortmund’s summer signing from Stuttgart, who pulled one back. Guirassy managed to slip past his former teammate Alexander Nübel and finish clinically, momentarily offering Dortmund a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
However, any chances of a revival were quickly extinguished. Stuttgart remained in control, and ten minutes before the final whistle, substitute El Bilal Touré made it 4-1, effectively sealing Dortmund’s fate. As the match neared its conclusion, Undav struck once again, completing his brace and putting the finishing touch on Stuttgart’s comprehensive victory with a late goal that finalized the 5-1 scoreline.
The defeat is a significant blow to Dortmund, who have now slipped to eighth place in the Bundesliga standings. The result not only highlights Dortmund’s defensive frailties but also raises questions about the team’s ability to challenge for top honors this season. Despite the talent in their squad, including high-profile signings like Guirassy, Dortmund’s inconsistency continues to be a major issue.
For Stuttgart, the victory is a huge morale boost, as they climb to sixth place in the league table. The win marks an impressive turnaround for the team, who have been building momentum in recent weeks. Their attacking prowess, led by the likes of Undav and Demirovic, has been a key factor in their rise, and they will be looking to maintain this form as they push for a spot in European competition.
As for Dortmund, the pressure is mounting on Sahin to find solutions quickly. With defensive issues becoming more apparent and their attack lacking cohesion, the team must regroup and address their vulnerabilities before they fall further behind in the title race. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Dortmund as they seek to regain their footing and climb back up the Bundesliga standings.
