Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin is hopeful striker Serhou Guirassy will be ready to play a bigger part against Bayern Munich after his return from a brief illness. 

Guirassy was down with a virus for a few days before returning as a substitute against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday and scoring in the 3-0 win. 

He has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, a total only bettered by Jonathan Burkardt, Tim Kleindienst (both seven), Omar Marmoush (11) and Harry Kane (14). 

Guirassy's return will be a huge boost for Dortmund, who are aiming to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record at home this term, having won all six of their matches so far. 

Asked whether Guirassy will start in the crunch Bundesliga clash against leaders Bayern, Sahin said: "We expect that he will be a step further."

"Obviously, he is a very important player for us. A player like him can change a game's entire structure.

"He handled his substitute appearance in Zagreb well after his illness," the Dortmund boss added. 

This Saturday's meeting will be the 136th top-flight clash between the two sides, making this the most contested fixture in German professional football. 

Bayern have suffered more defeats to Dortmund in all competitions than against any other side (33, most recently 2-0 at home in March). 

However, Dortmund have also recorded more losses against Bayern than anyone else (67).

"It is the biggest game in Germany, the one that gets the most exposure and I think it will be the biggest for quite some time," said Sahin.

"It is special to be in this role for such a game."

Bayern have won their last five Bundesliga games without conceding a goal and can match a six-match run achieved under Pep Guardiola in 2014 if they win without conceding against Dortmund. 

"Bayern defend high and that creates spaces at the back but they keep the opponents away," the Dortmund coach said.

"There will be spaces for us to play in but they have not conceded a goal in some games now."

"We have the expectation to win at home. There's no reason not to have that expectation with six wins from six home games. But the fact is Bayern are ahead on points and it is a chance for us to close the gap." 

Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin was delighted with his side's 3-0 victory away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The result was Dortmund's first away victory in seven matches in all competitions and left them fourth in the 36-team Champions League table, three points behind leaders Liverpool.

"To win away from home is something that feels great," Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin told a press conference.

"It is important for the table, for our morale. It was not an easy game but we let the ball roll and after the 1-0 we became even more dominant. Now we need to keep working."

Dortmund dominated the match against Dinamo, registering an xG of 1.75 compared to the hosts' 0.13, while they also had over 70% of the ball and 17 shots compared to five.

Sahin was pleased with the way his side managed to break down stubborn opposition, who sat deep during the game.

“We have played two really good matches now and we remained patient today against a very deep opponent. The players kept their positions, moved the ball well and deserved it," he said.

"Deep defence was not the big problem, rather it was related to the field. If we had been on good grass, we would have had more chances."

Dortmund have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions and will hope to take that form into their match against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Sahin, though, did not want to shift focus too quickly from what was a pleasing night.

"I look forward to that game [against Bayern] but I want to enjoy the evening tonight with my boys and from Thursday the focus will be on Bayern," he said.

Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin believes Dinamo Zagreb pose a serious threat in Wednesday's Champions League clash.

He noted their impressive turnaround, going undefeated in their last three matches (W2 D1) after starting with a heavy loss to Bayern Munich.

Dortmund are seventh and in the top section of the Champions League table after three wins, while the Croatian capital club are currently eighteenth and in the play-off section, with seven points from four matches.

Dinamo's most memorable outing came in the form of a 9-2 thrashing by Bayern on the opening matchday. However, Sahin acknowledged the quality in Nenad Bjelica's side.

"We’ve watched a lot of Dinamo’s matches. They’ve impressively earned seven points. You can see the coach’s influence — it’s a team that reflects his ideas. They have some strong players and big names," Sahin told a press conference on Tuesday.

"We don't want to stray from our idea. We want to control the ball and play football. But we’re ready."

Despite Niklas Sule and Karim Adeyemi staying in Dortmund to recover from injuries, Sahin confirmed that Emre Can and Serhou Guirassy had travelled with the team ahead of the clash.

"Emre wasn’t able to fully participate in today’s session. But Serhou trained well," Sahin said, adding that both were options for the match.

Dortmund have never previously faced a Croatian side in any European competition. It’s the first time they will face a new nation in Europe since facing Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia in October 2017 and drawing 1-1.

Dinamo, on the other hand, have lost their last seven games against German opposition, scoring six goals while conceding 25 in all European competitions.

The game will be held at Stadion Maksimir, famed for its intense atmosphere. Sahin, however, insisted his team are unfazed.

"I don’t think it will shock the players. Our squad operates at the highest level. They’ve seen and experienced a lot," he said, adding that Dortmund also boast a unique atmosphere, including the "Yellow Wall" of fans in the southern stand.

"What happens in the stands doesn’t matter much. The players enjoy it."

Nuri Sahin praised Borussia Dortmund for getting "a fully deserved victory" over nine-man Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Dortmund remained perfect on home soil this season as they cruised to a 4-0 win at Signal Iduna Park after Patrick Osterhage and Junior Adamu were both sent off for the visitors.

Maximilian Bieier and Felix Nmecha scored in the first half before Julian Brandt and Jamie Gittens secured the points in the second during a dominant display as they limited Freiburg to just three shots on target at the other end.

Dortmund have now won 11 home games in a row in all competitions. Since the Bundesliga was founded, they have won more consecutive home matches in a row only once, winning 14 in a row at home in 1994.

Sahin has come under pressure recently for the Black and Yellow's less impressive away form, but he was delighted with the showing he saw from his side.

"We started very well. We controlled the spaces. We allowed very little," Sahin said.

"Overall, it was a mature performance from my boys. We scored great goals, showed good energy.

"We kept them away from our goal throughout. It was a fully deserved victory and I, as a coach, am very satisfied."

Dortmund were, however, without Serhou Guirassy, who is their top scorer in the Bundesliga with six goals, as he pulled out of the game due to a virus.

Next up for Sahin's side is a trip to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, and the head coach is hopeful he will be available for that tie.

"[Saturday] morning again, we got the bad news. Serhou tried everything to play today, but it did not work," Sahin added.

"I hope it will be enough for Zagreb. He is a very important player for us." 

Borussia Dortmund will have several players back from injury for their Bundesliga game against visitors Freiburg on Saturday, with coach Nuri Sahin relieved to have more options again.

The Ruhr valley club have had as many as 10 players injured at some stage as they have dropped to seventh place in the league, 10 points off leaders Bayern Munich.

But they will now have five players back for their return to action, including goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, as well as Gio Reyna, Julien Duranville, Waldemar Anton and Jamie Gittens.

"After a long time there is more good news than bad news regarding injuries," Sahin told a press conference on Thursday.

"I don't expect Gio and Duranville, for example, to be at 100% but the physios have done a great job.

"So if they are in the squad that means they can play. I'm just happy to be able to take decisions. We can now take some nice decisions."

Until the international break last week, Dortmund, who travel to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League next week, struggled with injuries and failed to win any of their away matches in the league, losing touch with the leading teams.

Dortmund, who have 16 points from 10 games, will be without injured defender Niklas Sule and suspended captain Emre Can.

"I had said we were running on fumes before the international break because we had to play with the same team," Sahin said.

"I think we played with an almost identical lineup in five consecutive games. I hope that in the coming weeks we will be able to rotate more.

Nuri Sahin made no excuses after another dismal away performance saw Borussia Dortmund slip to a 3-1 loss at Mainz.

Dortmund saw Emre Can sent off as they fell to a fourth straight away defeat in the Bundesliga.

Saturday's loss leaves them in seventh place, 10 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"A difficult away game for us. Once we got that red card it got really hard," said Sahin, whose team have become the second Bundesliga side this century to have zero wins in their first five away games and five wins from their first five home games (after Borussia Monchengladbach in 2013-14).

"We have too few points on the road though I have to analyse today's defeat a bit differently than the other defeats because of the red card.

"With a few more points we would be somewhere else in the table. But for us we just are getting too few points."

Mainz picked up what was their first home win of the season in the Bundesliga, as they made their numerical advantage count following Emre Can's 27th-minute dismissal following a rash tackle. 

"Emre can't go into this challenge like that," Sahin said.

"He wins the first ball and then in the second effort he should stay up."

Nuri Sahin is confident that Borussia Dortmund's back-to-back victories will help improve spirits within their depleted squad ahead of facing Mainz in the Bundesliga. 

The likes of Gregor Kobel, Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Gio Reyna, Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton, Julian Ryerson and Yan Couto are all notable absentees for BVB. 

However, Sahin's side followed up their impressive league win over RB Leipzig last week with a 1-0 win over Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

The win saw Sahin become the first Dortmund boss since the Bundesliga was founded to win each of his first seven home matches in charge (all competitions).

However, their struggles, particularly in the Bundesliga, have come away from the Westfalenstadion this season. 

Dortmund have failed to win any of their four away matches in the league. Should they fail to win in Mainz, they would become the second side this century to have zero wins in their first five away games and five wins from their first five home games. 

Borussia Monchengladbach were the last team to go on a similar run in 2013-14, while the last time Dortmund experienced this stretch of form came in 1967-68. 

However, Sahin revealed that their recent victories have improved the mood in the dressing room, and is positive his players can stop the rot away from home. 

"We have not really trained as a team on the pitch yet (after the win over Graz)," Sahin told a press conference.

"But the atmosphere is obviously more relaxed. Victories always do well and especially the way we won." It is normal there's more laughter after wins than after defeats."

Dortmund currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga standings after nine games, seven points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. 

Sahin's side do, however, have the opportunity to close the gap at the summit ahead of the final international break of 2024. 

The BVB head coach welcomed the two-week break as an opportunity to nurse his injury-hit squad back to health, though asked his available players for one final push after a difficult few months. 

"It is never easy in Mainz. It will be uncomfortable," Sahin said. "We need to do it one more time before going into the international break."

"It needs to be clear to us that it is about the three points. It does not matter if it is home or away.

"We will try to get those important points to start again after the international break from a better position."

Donyell Malen netted an 85th minute winner to hand Borussia Dortmund a narrow 1-0 victory over winless Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

A dominant showing from Nuri Sahin's side made it three wins from four games so far in the competition, moving them up to fourth in the new 36-team league. 

Dortmund started brightly at the Westfalenstadion but were unable to find a breakthrough, with Marcel Sabitzer, Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy going close. 

They recorded 13 shots in the first half, their most in the opening 45 minutes of a Champions League match without scoring since Opta recorded this data (since 2003-04).

But Sturm Graz offered a threat on the break after the interval, with Jusuf Gazibegovic curling an effort narrowly wide before Mika Biereth missed a header from close range.

However, Dortmund left it late to seal the win as Malen pounced on Emanuel Aiwu's loose pass before being sent through by Guirassy, with the Dutchman rattling the ball beyond 
Kjell Scherpen to seal another Champions League home win.

Data Debrief: Home comforts

While Sahin has come under fire for Dortmund's displays away from home, there is no arguing with his record at the Westfalenstadion.

He became the first Dortmund coach since the Bundesliga was founded to win each of his first seven home matches in charge (all competitions), while BVB are now unbeaten in 13 consecutive Champions League home games (W9 D4) - an extended club record. 

Malen’s winner was timed at 84:56, Dortmund’s latest winning goal in a Champions League match since Kevin Groskreutz netted against Marseille in December 2013.

Injury-ravaged Borussia Dortmund are running out of time to recover players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Sturm Graz, coach Nuri Sahin has said.

Dortmund, who lost last season's Champions League final to Real Madrid, are currently without forwards Karim Adeyemi and Julien Duranville, midfielder Gio Reyna and defensive trio Niklas Sule, Julian Ryerson and Yan Couto.

Despite their lengthy injury list, BVB fought back to beat second-placed RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, ending a three-game losing run in all competitions.

Ahead of Sturm Graz's visit, Dortmund are unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in the Champions League, winning eight and drawing four.

They have only lost one of their last 19 at Signal Iduna Park in the competition's group or league phase, versus Erik ten Hag's Ajax back in November 2021.

However, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, defender Waldemar Anton and winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens also doubtful for Tuesday's match, Sahin is concerned. 

"The known absentees remain. I don't think anyone will come back, apart from Almugera Kabar," Sahin told reporters on Monday.

"We will have to see about Waldi. It will be a race against time. We did not get the green light on Greg yet. [Backup goalkeeper Alexander] Meyer has an extraordinary character. 

"He is very popular in the squad and his qualities were on display at the weekend. To have a number two like that at this level is amazing."

Sturm Graz have lost all three of their Champions League games this campaign. Dortmund, meanwhile, suffered a 5-2 loss at Madrid in their last match but won their previous two against Club Brugge and Celtic.

Austria international Marcel Sabitzer, who recently returned to fitness, is particularly excited about the fixture, saying: "I come from Graz, I grew up there. I have many memories. 

"Our mission is to win tomorrow, that's clear. I'm already feeling better. I'm confident that it will work out tomorrow." 

Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 comeback win over RB Leipzig to snap a three-game losing run was a reward for their hard work, coach Nuri Sahin said.

Dortmund, who face Sturm Graz in the Champions League next week, were without nine injured players but dug deep to score twice after visitors Leipzig took the lead.

They came into Saturday's Bundesliga match against second-placed Leipzig having lost three straight games across all competitions, and fell behind to Benjamin Sesko's thumping strike.

But goals from Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy completed the turnaround and saw Sahin continue his strong home form, having won each of his first five league matches in charge at Signal Iduna Park.

"An important win, and in my opinion a deserved win," Sahin told reporters. 

"We started well and the goal did not knock us down. We were rewarded with a goal before half-time and then again after the break. Sometimes you suffer, but with suffering you learn. We are now on a better track and won't veer away."

Sahin had been under mounting pressure following a loss in the Champions League to Real Madrid after leading 2-0, and defeats by Augsburg in the Bundesliga last week and Tuesday's DFB-Cup exit to Wolfsburg.

"On Tuesday I also saw a team that gave everything but were not rewarded in the end. Today we were," Sahin said.

"The boys applied what we planned. The belief in this team is the same even if we had lost seven in a row."

Nuri Sahin confirmed that Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will miss their upcoming Bundesliga fixture with RB Leipzig this weekend. 

Kobel, who has kept four clean sheets in 13 appearances in all competitions this season, sustained a hip injury in Tuesday's DFB Pokal defeat to Wolfsburg. 

The Switzerland international becomes the latest name to be sidelined for Dortmund, who have failed to win their last three games in all competitions. 

Sahin is already without Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Gio Reyna, Kjell Watjen, Niklas Sule, Julian Ryerson, and Yan Couto, among others.

"Clearly it is a difficult situation with the defeats and the Cup exit, a competition we had high expectations for," Sahin told a press conference.

"The injury list with this squad is extremely bitter. With Greg (Kobel) out now we have 10 players out.

"Ten players injured. That's something I have not experienced before. How do we get out of it? We won't hide behind excuses. The lads are well prepared."

Dortmund come into the encounter after earning 13 points from their first eight games, their worst start to a Bundesliga season since 2014-15. 

Sahin's struggles have been away from home in the league this term, failing to win any of their five games while also conceding 10 goals during those matches.

But they have won each of their last eight home games in all competitions, their longest run since between November 2022 and May 2023 (11).

Dortmund are the only team yet to drop a point at home in the Bundesliga this season (four home wins) and have collected 12 of their 13 points at the Westfalenstadion. 

And Sahin is confident that their run on home soil will help them stop their current losing streak. 

"We are well prepared and we play at home. And at home it is difficult to beat us," Sahin said.

"I know my role and the players know their roles. We have to go through this. We have to work our way out of this situation."

"We need the stadium tomorrow more than ever. I'm sure the stadium will have a feel for our situation. We want to continue our home streak."

However, Dortmund have lost six of their last seven competitive games against RB Leipzig, with their only win coming in a 2-1 victory in the 2022-23 campaign. 

They had previously gone on an eight-match unbeaten run against Die Roten Bullen in all competitions (W6, D2).

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl is confident Nuri Sahin can turn things around at the club after being dumped out of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday. 

Dortmund were beaten 1-0 by Wolfsburg in their second-round clash, with Jonas Wind's extra-time winner deciding the contest at the Volkswagen Arena. 

It marked a miserable week for BVB, who are now without a win in four games in all competitions, piling more pressure on Sahin. 

Dortmund lost 5-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, despite leading by two goals, before losing to Augsburg upon their Bundesliga return. 

Sahin has won seven of his first 13 matches in charge in all competitions (D1 L5). While Kehl acknowledged the results had not been good enough, he remained confident in the Dortmund boss. 

"It is clear that we are not satisfied with the overall situation of our results," Kehl said.

"But we have to stick together and work hard on things. We are lagging behind in our goals. But we will go through it together.

"This is a situation that Dortmund has handled successfully in the past.

"The atmosphere in the changing room was one of frustration, very quiet," Kehl added on Dortmund's cup exit.

"At the end of the day, we have now been eliminated and that is very bitter."

Sahin has, however, had to try and navigate some difficult fixtures without a plethora of his first-team players. 

Dortmund are without Niklas Sule, Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, Karim Adeyemi and Gio Reyna due to injury. 

Sahin's side have managed just 13 points after eight games in the Bundesliga, their worst start in 10 years, having picked up just seven points at this stage in 2014-15.

They have also conceded 14 goals in the Bundesliga, only letting in more during the 2007-08 season (16). 

Despite an away trip to second-placed RB Leipzig up next for Dortmund, Kehl is confident they can earn a first league away win this term. 

"The squad is relatively small due to the unfortunate injury situation. Still, we will try to win the match on Saturday," Kehl said.

But it looks like a difficult task for Dortmund as they head into the encounter having lost six of their last seven competitive games against Leipzig. 

They had previously gone on an eight-match unbeaten run against Leipzig in all competitions (W6 D2).

Borussia Dortmund will likely be without full-back Julian Ryerson for their DFB-Pokal trip to Wolfsburg, but Nuri Sahin could welcome back Marcel Sabitzer and Waldemar Anton.

All three players were injured during Saturday's 2-1 loss at Augsburg in the Bundesliga, as Dortmund succumbed to a second defeat in four days after squandering a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 at Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Speaking at Monday's pre-match press conference, coach Sahin told reporters: "I don't have high hopes for Julian Ryerson.

"With Sabi and Waldi, every hour counts. It will only become clear towards kick-off whether they can play."

Sahin is keen to see Dortmund tighten up at the back after losing three of their last five league matches, slipping seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"The goals we're conceding for the effort we're putting in are extreme. That can't happen to us. We're conceding goals too easily by making mistakes," said the former midfielder.

"At the moment, we have so many issues of our own that it doesn't feel so easy."

Dortmund have lost four consecutive matches on their travels in all competitions since their last DFB-Pokal outing, a 4-1 victory at Phonix Lubeck.

They have gone unbeaten through their last three games against Wolfsburg, however, outscoring them 8-1 since suffering a 2-0 defeat at Volkswagen Arena in November 2022.

Borussia Dortmund need to claim their first Bundesliga away win of the season this weekend, according to head coach Nuri Sahin.

The German side were beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, having initially gone 2-0 up at the Santiago Bernabeu, and travel to Augsburg in the Bundesliga this weekend.

An inconsistent start to the domestic season has them seventh in the table, while they are still waiting for their first victory away from the Westfalenstadion.

But the setbacks the team have faced, according to Sahin, have all contributed to the team's development, and a first win on the road would be a great confidence booster.

"It has to work now with an away game win," he told a press conference. "It is an important game. Especially with a look at the table where we need to stay in touch with the top spots.

"The demands we have set for ourselves mean we have to win away games. You cannot reach your goals without away wins."

Dortmund do have a 100% record in all competitions at home this season and come into the weekend having beaten St. Pauli 2-1 in their last Bundesliga outing.

But they have not won back-to-back matches in the league so far this season, while they have picked up just one point in three away games.

Their patchy form has already seen a gap of four points open to league leaders Bayern Munich.

"Our demand is to get the three points and finally to reward ourselves on the road," Sahin said.

Sahin found himself the subject of much criticism in midweek, with his team having conceded five goals in 30 second-half minutes following his tactical substitutions.

"We need to keep working, remain clear. Every day, every match, every training session is important to progress. We will keep going down that road," he said.

"When you hit this flow it will be easier. We are not in that flow yet. It is a bit bumpy but, I have to accept it. Hopefully, [on Saturday] it will work out."

Nuri Sahin cited his substitutions as a "mistake" in Borussia Dortmund's 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had given the Bundesliga side a two-goal advantage heading into half-time, but they were unable to hold on to their lead.

Madrid came out firing after the interval, with a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior along with goals from Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez sealing the triumph. 

But Sahin's decision to replace both Malen and Gittens for defender Waldemar Anton and holding midfielder Pascal Gross proved to be Dortmund's undoing.

Five minutes after Gittens' substitution, Madrid halved the deficit through Rudiger, and were level 105 seconds later when Vinicius struck beyond Gregor Kobel. 

"It's not easy to explain, of course. We, who I thought played well with the ball, really had a lot of solutions," Sahin said. 

"The boys did well, scored two goals and then went into half-time and we knew it would be very long. The second half very, very long. 

"We noticed in the second half that we were being pushed back, we had defensive problems and I thought we should go to the three-man defence, and that didn't work out for us.

"It's my mistake and I have to live with it. There will be criticism, but that's something I have to face.

"We defended very, very badly. But also we have to factor the individual class of Real, a complete team."

However, Sahin insisted his side can take positives from the way they played in the first 45 minutes at the Bernabeu. 

Dortmund registered six shots, with five of those on target, entering the interval with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.49 compared to Los Blancos' 1.14. 

The visitors also boasted 52% possession, while also playing 158 passes in the opposition half to Madrid's 133 in the first half.

"It's an extremely bitter loss today, it hurts because we go out with the feeling that it was possible to go out with a better result," Sahin said.

"But tomorrow we also have to take the positives from this game with us.

"If we can play football like this against Real Madrid, then we have to do it against everyone and that has to be our benchmark. We're doing well up front."