"Never experienced a phase like this" - Julian Brandt on Borussia Dortmund's struggles away from home
By Tushar Bahl
Julian Brandt has been left perplexed by Borussia Dortmund's struggles away from home, which have reached new levels this season.
Borussia Dortmund made it six games without an away win in the Bundesliga on Saturday (five defeats, one draw) as they were handed a 2-1 defeat by FC Augsburg. The Black and Yellows have looked woefully out of sorts away from home this season, and Julian Brandt was at a loss of words trying to explain the reasons for the team's struggles.
Julian Brandt at a struggle to explain Borussia Dortmund's away woes
"To be honest, I've been here for six years and I've never experienced a phase like this where you're losing almost every away game. I'm asking myself a lot of questions at the moment," Brandt said (via BVB). "We need to figure out a way to play away games as if they were home games."
Brandt also felt that Borussia Dortmund looked sluggish, especially in the first-half, and bemoaned the team's lack of discipline. Despite that, the BVB vice-captain is keen to ensure that they do not lose trust in themselves.
"It feels like the opponent doesn't need much effort to score goals against us. Conceding goals is really, really hurting us at the moment... There are so many questions about the why and how at the moment. But one thing is beyond question, we as a team must not start to lose faith in ourselves."
Despite taking the lead in Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund folded very easily with a brace from Alexis Claude-Maurice turning the game on its head. Nuri Sahin's side was outplayed in all departments once again, just days after blowing a two-goal lead and losing 5-2 against Real Madrid.
Another potentially tricky test away from home lies in store for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday as they take on VfL Wolfsburg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.
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