Sahin says Dortmund on the right track
Nuri Sahin is confident that Borussia Dortmund is heading in the right direction under his management, but insisted that there are areas to improve on this season.
Dortmund makes the trip to Borussia-Park to take on Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, hoping to pick up the first away victory of its campaign.
Sahin's men have taken just one point from five away games in the league this season, their joint lowest return after five matches on the road since 1989-1990.
Dortmund has also lost four games in a row on its travels for the first time since 2014 under Jurgen Klopp, last suffering a longer run in 2006-2007 (six away defeats).
Sahin's side was held at home by Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich last time out, with Jamal Musiala's 85th-minute strike cancelling out Jamie Gittens' opener.
"The willingness of the boys is very good. We still need to improve, but we're heading in the right direction," Sahin said.
"The game on Saturday is very important for us. We want to break this inconsistency and want to win against Gladbach."
Dortmund will have confidence of ending its poor form away from the Westfalenstadion at the expense of Monchengladbach, given its recent record against it.
BVB has won 17 of its last 20 competitive games against Sunday's opponent (L3), including each of the last three.
Since Monchengladbach's promotion to the Bundesliga in 1965, Dortmund has only won more often away to Stuttgart (17) than it has at Gladbach (16).
But Sahin's side will have to secure the victory without defenders Waldemar Anton and Filippo Mane, who are both missing through injury.
The Dortmund boss welcomed midfielder Julian Brandt back into training this week, while Donyell Malen and Julian Ryerson are expected to feature this weekend.
"Filippo Mane and Waldemar Anton are definitely out. Karim Adeyemi has been partially integrated," Sahin said.
"Donyell Malen and Julian Ryerson have been a bit ill. But we're assuming that both of them will be able to play on Saturday."
