Borussia Dortmund: Protests against Rheinmetall during Nuri Sahin’s Bundesliga debut

Nuri Sahin is definitely not a show-off, not the type of person who wants to be the center of attention. And so the new coach of Borussia Dortmund had no doubt that Jamie Gittens had to be celebrated as the hero of the evening after BVB’s 2-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. The 20-year-old winger scored both goals – each directly in front of the south stand, which showered him with affection.

The “Yellow Wall” had already demonstrated its power before. The second half began with a protest in the south stand against BVB’s sponsorship deal with the defense company Rheinmetall. Countless banners were unfurled with slogans such as: “Shoot values ​​– enjoy money” or “Fighting and gambling – BVB takes responsibility”. The latter was an allusion to the Rheinmetall slogan “Taking responsibility in a changing world”. And those responsible in Dortmund actually claim that with this partnership they explicitly want to contribute to a current and controversial discussion: Are defense companies morally dubious? Or can the production and sale of weapons actually be seen as an act of responsibility in dealing with the world situation, given the many threats? These questions have arrived in the Bundesliga with the contract concluded at the end of May. The Dortmund fans gave their answer on Saturday evening: “We won’t let ourselves be harnessed to a tank.”

In terms of sport, Gittens’ 1-0 win in the 72nd minute was the turning point in a close game. »I was one-on-one and I looked at the opponent’s feet, moved inwards and was afraid! Long corner,” is how he described his opening goal. But Sahin also claimed his share in this goal and the heroic story in the successful start to the Bundesliga.

The former midfield strategist is a football teacher who always talks about “clarity”. He explains very openly and clearly to each of his players what is expected, what needs to be worked on and what their status is within the team structure. In Gittens’ case, the coach reported that the situation was as follows: “I told him very clearly that he has to define himself by goals and not just by dribbling.” It was not enough, always “another hook and another hook.” suggest that the young attacker must “gain this maturity” and refine his actions with goals and well-played assists. “He did that today.”

Sahin’s work seems to be bearing fruit not only in the overall football picture, but also in the development of individual players. Gittens has been playing for BVB for four years and came from Manchester City at the age of 16. He played Bundesliga games three years ago and also scored his first goal. But he has not yet achieved a final breakthrough, which has already given rise to doubts among more impatient supporters. The list of BVB talents who, despite all their quality, do not make the final step to Champions League level in the long term is long: Youssoufa Moukoko and Giovanni Reyna are current examples of players from the squad who have reached their limits.

Gittens, on the other hand, who has also been set back by injuries, could actually make the jump this season – inspired by this moment of luck on Saturday. The 1-0 was groundbreaking, the 2-0 in stoppage time was redemption. “It’s crazy,” Gittens said. And Sahin smiled contentedly. Because in functioning teams everyone benefits from such individual success stories. And because he begrudged the young Englishman his happiness. “I like the player, I like the person,” said the coach. Gittens could become one of the big beneficiaries of the new BVB football, which is based on a clearer and more ambitious passing game through the midfield.

In the first half hour, Dortmund’s game was very hesitant and faltering; Frankfurt was better and more dangerous. “But after the first 30 minutes we had a lot of control,” said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. This new BVB is still a long way from being in a form in which the team can control a Bundesliga game with combination football and ball possession. And if Frankfurt’s Fares Chaibi hadn’t shot over the empty Dortmund goal from three meters away shortly before Gitten’s opening goal, the game would probably have turned out differently.

But Borussia fought their way into the game. The leading players Marcel Sabitzer and Emre Can remained pale in midfield. Defender Waldemar Anton’s game with the ball is still developing. Striker Maximilian Beier came into the game together with Gittens after an hour, but remained inconspicuous. But the third newcomer, midfielder Pascal Groß, organized the action on the pitch. It was also noticeable that this team was developing a new spirit after the departure of the old boss players Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. Spaces are created in the structure that Gittens could also use for development.

Former BVB star Jude Bellingham even said some time ago that, in his eyes, Gittens, along with Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, is one of the candidates for the “Golden Boy” award, which is given every year to the world’s best young player under the age of 21. In order to win this title, Gittens also has to cause a stir in the Champions League. The chances of this certainly haven’t diminished since Saturday.