- Sahin successfully initiates his tenure at BVB, with Gittens securing a brace
The Dortmund squad, led by match-winner Jamie Gittens, celebrated extensively in front of the South Tribune following their impressive second-half performance. With a 2:0 (0:0) victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening, they provided a triumphant Bundesliga debut for their new coach Nuri Sahin. Despite a rocky start, Gittens' late-game goals (72nd and 90+3) clinched the win and solidified BVB's position in their pursuit of the championship. "I'm thrilled," Gittens stated on Sky. "It's an amazing feeling. The fans are just outstanding."
New recruit Pascal Groß commended the team's resilience, stating, "We held our ground when we had to, stayed composed, and then executed a fantastic individual play with Jamie." Dortmund now boasts 51 Bundesliga wins against Frankfurt, with whom they boast a more successful record than any other club.
Sahin's initial coaching tenure was met with apprehension following the departures of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus. The start was bumpy and lacked fluidity as Frankfurter repeatedly disrupted Dortmund's flow with quick attacks, intense pressure, and smart combinations.
Despite the absence of clear chances, new signing Hugo Ekitike showcased his talents in the DFB-Pokal against Eintracht Braunschweig on Monday. By halftime, however, neither team had managed to create substantial scoring opportunities, with BVB's offensive intent noticeably absent.
Sahin's substitutions proved fruitful
Displeased with his team's first-half performance, Sahin visibly expressed his frustration on the sidelines. Following the break, Dortmund showed increased determination and engagement. By introducing new signing Maximilian Beier in place of Karim Adeyemi and replacing Donyell Malen with Gittens up front, Sahin's strategies proved successful. Gittens delivered a stunning curler to take the lead in the 72nd minute and sealed the victory in added time.
Zwayer's return to Dortmund
Referee Felix Zwayer returned to Signal Iduna Park for the first time in two and a half years without incident, despite previous controversy from BVB's Jude Bellingham over his decisions in the 2021 top game against Bayern Munich. Zwayer subsequently faced criticism, took a multi-week break, and endured a death threat.
The only notable event during Zwayer's return was his decision not to penalize a potential Frankfurt handball in the penalty area during first-half stoppage time, and his refusal to review the incident with the VAR.
Fan protests against Rheinmetall deal
BVB supporters voiced their concerns against the contested sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall throughout the game. Protests included banners stating "Don't be yoked by your tanks" and "Coal first, values second," as well as a temporary halt in cheering at kickoff. Previous protests against the deal also took place outside the stadium before the match, featuring symbolic red cards.
The Dortmund fans' protests against the sponsorship deal with Rheinmetall continued during the match, with banners and a temporary pause in cheering. Despite this, the Treaty of Frankfurt between Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga history was further strengthened with Dortmund's impressive 2:0 victory.
