Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb: Three Takeaways as the Black and Yellows prove they can win on the road

Nuri Sahin’s job is safe for now

There’s been a lot of talk this season about Nuri Sahin’s experience and tactics, but the Dortmund hierarchy has reiterated their support for him, and he’s off to a great start following the international break. From two matches, the squad has created seven goals without conceding. The win over Freiburg was dominant, and the strategy against Dynamo Zagreb was similar, with a lineup mostly unchanged. 

With 12 points from five games, Borussia Dortmund are in fourth place in the UCL league phase, and that keeps us in the top eight, which could very well be Sahin’s saving grace. He needs to build on the momentum from today and carry that energy into the upcoming games in Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg, but that’s not all. 

Dortmund’s home record has been perfect this season in all competitions, but BVB face a pair of big tests soon. This weekend BVB host Bayern Munich, who have no trouble playing away from home, and have yet to lose a match in the league. A week and a half later, Barcelona will travel to Dortmund. They’re in form at the top of La Liga, and embarrassed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Bernabeau mere weeks ago. Sahin has his work cut out for him, but he’s in good shape to remain head coach through the winter, despite various opinions circulating the internet, and he’s positioned himself to have lower pressure should the team fall against Bayern at the weekend.

While those are my biggest takeaways, they’re not my only takeaways. I think it’s safe to say Jamie Gittens is having his breakout season with another impressive goal. His cut into the box is looking like a signature move, which is leaving his defending opponents helpless. Ramy Bensebaini looks like a new player this season, and his goal was fully deserved. And Nico Schlotterbeck? Consistent as always. Now let’s beat Bayern this weekend!