Nuri Sahin’s Fatal Mistake – Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund (5-2)

It was a wonderful first half for Borussia Dortmund. They are up 2-0 against Real Madrid on Santiago Bernabeu, to what feels like a remake of the last season’s UEFA Champions League final. Real Madrid was struggling defensively. Their right-back problems were obvious and Dortmund took advantage of Carvajal’s absence, scoring twice.

After the break, things became bleak for Dortmund. It was a fall they designed themselves. Nuri Sahin’s substitutions altered the dynamics of the game. It was not nuanced. It was not hard to spot. So how did Nuri Sahin doomed his team to an embarrassing loss?

You can find the statistics for Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund below. Now let us move on to the main talking points!

Real Madrid’s Right Back Problems

First, what went so well for Borussia Dortmund in the first half? First, they did not back down and constantly challenged Real Madrid. They actually had most of the ball, with 52% possession and 5 shots on target, compared to only one taken by the hosts. Dortmund set up in a high press, contesting the build-up and looked to transition quickly and catch Real Madrid off-guard.

Real Madrid has a problem with depth in the right back department. With Carvajal out for the rest of the season, Vazquez is the only option. And he is not the most reliable defender. It’s not surprising there were rumors about a potential transfer for Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season, especially since Real Madrid didn’t make any significant additions to that position in the last transfer window.

Let’s have a look at Borussia Dortmund’s goals. First, Donyell Malen is left completely unmarked centrally at the edge of the box, with plenty of space to receive a pass. And plenty of time to choose his next move. He is quickly chased down and passed it to Brandt who was nearby. Lucas Vazquez loses the one-on-one duel with Brandt and finds Serhou Guirassy. Ferland Mendy rushes to contest him and Malen slips behind to score. I would say two things are key here. Malen being unmarked and Vazquez losing his duel.

At the second goal, we have Donnyel Malen again. This time, he challenges Ferland Mendy on the right wing and bypasses him. He crosses and Jamie Gittens makes a run into the box. Gittens is completely uncontested as Lucas Vazquez is trailing behind him and allowed the winger to cut him off with his run. This one is definitely on Lucas Vazquez.

Indeed, he compensated by scoring the goal that put Real Madrid ahead. He brings his contributions offensively and is reliable at that. But not as a right back option.

Nuri Sahin’s Substitutions Turned it Around

Just ten minutes into the second half, Borussia Dortmund makes the first substitution. Gittens is out to make room for Waldemar Anton. With all their troubles on the right wing, Sahin takes out his left winger, who also scored, to make room for a defender. The intention cannot be clearer. Dortmund wants to preserve their lead and park the bus. At Santiago Bernabeu.

What happens should be obvious and predictable for most football fans who watched Real Madrid play in the Champions League. Los Blancos is the biggest comeback team in the Champions League, having been 18 times in losing positions and losing just 7 times with Carlo Ancelotti as their manager. And to sit back and invite Real Madrid to attack you for 35 minutes plus extra time seems like an obvious error.

And it was indeed obvious. Seven minutes after this substitution, Vincius and Rudiger brought the game level. So then, Sahin makes another substitution. This time, it is Donny Malen coming off for Pascal Groß. Taking off the other winger, for yet another defensive player. How quickly Sahin went from a win to hoping for a draw.

Is it Possible to Rebalance a Team?

Fifteen minutes to go and there is another round of substitutions. First, Emre Can comes in for Ryerson. This is understandable, as Ryerson’s form was declining. Someone with fresh energy was needed. Unfortunately, Emre Can is not the best fullback, and Vinicius ran him over on almost any occasion. But this one we cannot blame on Sahin.

Then, Maximilian Beier entered the game, with Sahin trying to rebalance his team and add some much needed offensive spark. Too little, too late for Borussia Dortmund. Lucas Vazquez scored in the 83rd minute, followed by another two goals from Vinicius.

Conclusions

Nuri Sahin tried to park the bus at Santiago Bernabeu with 35 minutes to go. What seemed like a victory quickly turned into hope for a draw and then a desperate attempt to take back control of an already losing game. Staying consistent and calm is an important aspect of being a manager. This does not mean sticking to a plan when things are not working out your way. Emphasis of not working out your way.

By rushing into changes and substitutions, Sahin turned a two goal advantage into a crushing defeat.