Seven days after their 2025 debut match against Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund faced Eintracht Frankfurt with five changes in their starting lineup. However, neither this adjustment, the fact that they held 68% possession, nor the reality that the hosts had clearly begun their post-Omar Marmoush era, helped the Millionaires end their streak of poor results. Three losses in one week, with no clear signs of a solution, suggest that Nuri Sahin’s tenure as coach might be nearing its end after tonight’s 2–0 defeat in Frankfurt, which marked the official start of the Bundesliga’s second half of the season. It appears that Sahin’s position as head coach of the currently tenth-placed team in the Bundesliga, with only five away points this season, might be saved solely by the packed schedule. Dortmund is set to play every four days in the upcoming period, including a crucial away match against Bologna on Tuesday, vital for their final standing in the league phase of the elite European competition.Goal Oscar Hojlund 90’+2′Frankfurt 2-0 Dortmund pic.twitter.com/LRFH5MoXcf— Goals433⚽ (@Goals433) January 17, 2025 In their previous match against the reigning champions last Friday, Dortmund conceded a goal just 25 seconds in. This time, it almost happened again in the first minute. Despite Sahin fielding what is likely his preferred defensive quartet (Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini), early defensive confusion saw a misplaced pass and a low shot by Hugo Larsson, which Kobel saved with his foot, narrowly preventing Dortmund from starting the game trailing right out of the gate. Eintracht capitalized in the 18th minute. A wide-open space on Dortmund’s left flank allowed Kristensen to calmly look up, set himself, and deliver a precise low cross. Hugo Ekitike met it perfectly to score what was nearly the game’s only goal. It stayed that way until stoppage time when Dortmund went all out, leaving their half completely unguarded. Eintracht substitute Oscar Højlund stole the ball from Emre Can, sprinted towards goal, and clinically finished to seal the win.Three candidates to replace SahinEintracht secured their third victory in seven days, ending a difficult streak where the current Champions League runners-up had six wins and no losses in their last seven meetings. More importantly, it was the perfect way to begin their “new era” without their top scorer, who had been granted permission to finalize negotiations with Manchester City. It’s now a matter of days, or even hours, before that transfer is officially completed. Dortmund ended the first half without a single shot on target, epitomizing their struggles with a bizarre incident in the 78th minute. Gittens and Guirassy collided in Eintracht’s penalty area, and both, unaware of who caused the foul, appealed for a penalty. The English striker received a yellow card for dissent and, just minutes later, was brought down by Theate. However, the referee deemed the contact insufficient for a penalty.🇫🇷 Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, 22)🎖️ 98th percentile for expected assists🎖️ 95th percentile for attacking actions🎖️ 87th percentile for non-penalty goals🎖️ 86th percentile for expected goals👉 https://t.co/gEi8I95Rzk pic.twitter.com/BT5tnHBDHD— DataMB (@DataMB_) January 17, 2025 The introduction of Couto at halftime injected some life into Dortmund’s attack, and he was responsible for their first shot on target, but Trapp saved it with his foot. While there were some sporadic chances in the second half, Dortmund’s players surrounded referee Daniel Schlager at the final whistle, blaming him for their misfortune. Yet, the solution to their problems must be sought elsewhere.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 18FridayEintr. Frankfurt – Borussia Dortmund 2-0 (1-0)/Ekitike 18, Hojlund 90+2/Saturday17.30: (1.20) Bayern (8.00) Wolfsburg (14.0)17.30: (3.80) Bochum (3.50) RB Leipzig (1.98)17.30: (2.50) Heidenheim (3.35) St.Pauli (2.85)17.30: (2.95) Holstein Kiel (3.50) Hoffenheim (2.35)17.30: (1.63) Stuttgart (4.00) Freiburg (5.30)20.30: (1.30) Leverkusen (5.80) M’ gladbach (9.00)Sunday17.30: (2.60) Union Berlin (3.15) Mainz (2.85)19.30: (1.90) Werder (3.50) Augsburg (4.10)**odds are subject to change**
