Sahin calls on Dortmund to claim first away win
Borussia Dortmund needs to claim its first Bundesliga away win of the season this weekend, according to head coach Nuri Sahin.
The German side was beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, having initially gone 2-0 up at Santiago Bernabeu, and travels to Augsburg in the Bundesliga this weekend.
An inconsistent start to the domestic season has it seventh in the table, while it is still waiting for a first victory away from Signal Iduna Park.
But the setbacks the team has 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 said. "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 does have a 100 per cent record in all competitions at home this season and comes into the weekend having beaten St. Pauli 2-1 in its previous Bundesliga outing.
But it has not won back-to-back matches in the league so far this season, picking up just one point in three away games.
Its patchy form has already seen a gap of four points open to league leader 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 after 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."
