Borussia Dortmund staged a convincing 4-2 comeback win over Bochum on Friday, but Nuri Sahin was left frustrated by his side's defensive display.
The Black and Yellow suffered a shock 5-1 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart in their previous Bundesliga game, and got off to a poor start against Bochum, finding themselves 2-0 down after just 21 minutes.
However, a brace from Serhou Guirassy, along with goals from Emre Can and Felix Nmecha, completed the turnaround in a dominant display.
"The supposed scenario of a 3-0, which could have happened, was simply because we defended very, very badly. It was very, very poor defending," Sahin told a press conference.
"We have to develop in this area and defending in depth is always a huge topic. I hope that we improve as quickly as possible, because there's no other way."
Guirassy was the standout performer for Dortmund on Friday with his two goals, as he also had the most shots (six), shots on target (three) and the highest expected goals (1.22). He also had the joint-most touches in the opposition box (nine, level with Jamie Gittens).
Since returning to the Bundesliga in September 2022, Guirassy has scored 42 goals in the top-flight (53 appearances), with no player scoring more in the competition since then.
"We are all very happy that he [Guirassy] is with us. And I'm not just happy that he scores goals, but also how he presents himself," Sahin added.
"I've said that before. And I thought he was also one of those who was clear-headed at half-time.
"That's why we brought him in so that he can help lead here, so that he's not just on the pitch but also off it."
Dortmund are temporarily second in the Bundesliga on 10 points, two behind leaders Bayern Munich. They host Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday before travelling to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga four days later.
Sainz hat-trick at Derby makes it three wins in four for Norwich
Norwich City climbed to within one place of the Championship play-off spots following a 3-2 victory away at Derby County and a hat-trick from Borja Sainz.
The result ended a run of nine straight home wins in the league for Derby, and it was the first time they have been beaten at Pride Park since February. Norwich, meanwhile, have now won three of their last four matches.
Norwich took the lead in the first half through Sainz in controversial circumstances, with the ball looking as if it had gone out of play during the build-up to the goal.
But Derby would not go down without a fight, equalising through Craig Forsyth on his 300th career appearance, as he fired past Angus Gunn from eight yards.
Just five minutes later, Norwich were back in front with Sainz hitting a bouncing ball from outside of the box and the Spaniard secured his hat-trick with another three minutes from time.
Derby got one back in stoppage time through Corey Blackett-Taylor, but were unable to force an equaliser.
Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday beat league leaders West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at Hillsborough to win for the first time in the league since the opening day.
Danny Rohl’s side were one up after nine minutes, with Darnell Furlong deflecting Marvin Johnson's effort past his goalkeeper. Josh Windass doubled their lead in the 23rd minute.
The Baggies got back into it after the hour, with Josh Maja heading in from a deep cross for his seventh goal of the season, and substitute Alex Mowatt dragged them level in the 84th minute.
But two minutes later, Anthony Musaba put Wednesday back in front for a lead they would maintain for the remainder of the match. The hosts climb to 16th, two points above the bottom three.
Blackburn Rovers maintained their 100% home record in the league with a 2-0 victory over QPR, who had Jonathan Varane, the half-brother of former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, sent off in first-half stoppage time for a late lunge on Danny Batth.
John Eustace's side struck twice in the second half to ensure their strong form rolled on.
Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City: Gordon penalty snatches point against leaders
Anthony Gordon's second-half penalty saw Newcastle United come from behind to frustrate Premier League leaders Manchester City in a 1-1 draw at St James' Park.
Gordon, who has been at the centre of media speculation over his future this week, levelled the scores from 12 yards in the 58th minute, converting a spot-kick that he won after being tripped by Ederson.
Josko Gvardiol had nosed City ahead with a neat close-range finish in the 35th minute on Saturday.
Both sides saw chances go begging as they pushed for a winner, with Erling Haaland heading at Nick Pope late on as the Norway international fired a blank for the first time in the league this season.
Pep Guardiola's side sit top of the standings on 14 points, though they could be overtaken by Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal this weekend, with Newcastle rising to fifth.
Data Debrief: City struggle for goals
City may have extended their Premier League unbeaten run to 29 games in all competitions, but it is the first time they have drawn back-to-back league games since March.
Haaland, who has 10 goals already this season, failed to hit the back of the net despite having five shots (more than any of his team-mates), as he created 0.36 expected goals.
Gordon's spot-kick sealed the all-important point for Newcastle. He has won seven penalties in the Premier League since the beginning of last season, at least four more than any other player.
Meanwhile, Ederson has conceded more penalties in the competition than any other goalkeeper (six), and has failed to keep any of those out.
Ancelotti out for derby day revenge, but wary of improved Atletico
Carlo Ancelotti is aiming to avenge Real Madrid's two defeats to rivals Atletico Madrid last season when they travel to the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.
On their way to a 15th LaLiga crown, Madrid lost their only game of the league season in a 3-1 defeat to Diego Simeone's side in September.
Atletico also knocked Los Blancos out of the Copa Del Ray in the last 16, while their reverse fixture later in LaLiga ended in a 1-1 draw.
This weekend's hosts have won two of their last three home derbies against Madrid in the league (L1), while also entering the upcoming derby in impressive form.
Atletico have not lost any of their last eight league matches (W5 D3), their best unbeaten run in LaLiga since a 13-match run at the start of last year.
During Simeone's Atletico tenure, he has 12 wins in his 43 derbies as their head coach against Madrid in all competitions (D15 L16), the same as the number of wins they achieved in their previous 77 meetings with Los Blancos before his arrival.
Ancelotti also has a poor record against his opposite number, losing nine of his 24 matches against Simeone across all competitions (W9 D6).
Only against Luciano Spalletti (11) has he suffered more defeats in his entire managerial career, and Ancelotti is expecting another difficult test for his side.
"It's obvious that we have to avoid the mistakes of last year. That learning could be useful for tomorrow's game. It is a difficult stadium," Ancelotti told reporters.
"I think Atletico have improved a lot, they've signed good players and I think they'll fight until the end for this League with us and with Barcelona."
Madrid, however, will be without their leading marksman Kylian Mbappe, who has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
Mbappe has seven goals in his first nine appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, racking up more shots (39) than any other player in LaLiga, while also recording a division-high expected goals (xG) total of 6.97.
But Ancelotti insisted nothing changes for his players in the Frenchman's absence as they aim to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
"Without Mbappe it changes a little, but not much. It's a shame that he's not here but we can make up for him well," the Italian coach added.
"Camavinga has recovered well, he is in good condition. If a player is available, he can play 90 minutes or none at all."
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