Dortmund’s Crisis Worsens After Third Straight Loss

On Friday, Borussia Dortmund lost 2-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt for their third straight Bundesliga loss, deepening their dilemma. The loss puts extra pressure on Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin, who had club bosses’ support despite their midweek loss to lowly Holstein Kiel.

Visitors had the first chance, but Serhou Guirassy’s ninth-minute header hit the post. They were absolutely surprised nine minutes later when Eintracht broke free and Hugo Ekitike, who started the move, finished it.

Eintracht, minus star striker Omar Marmoush, nearly scored again four minutes later when Ansgar Knauff’s effort hit the post.

Before the game, the club stated it was in talks to sign Egyptian forward Marmoush. The striker, who congratulated his Eintracht colleagues after the game, is apparently close to joining Manchester City. It was likely his last outing in front of the home crowd.

Dortmund, who play Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday, lost despite pressing for an equaliser. Serhou Guirassy twice called for a penalty after tumbling down in the box but was booked. Eintracht scored again after Oscar Hojlund ran into the area with too much space, sealing Dortmund’s third loss in three league encounters this year.

“At the end of the day football is a results-based sport and we lost again today,” said Dortmund midfielder Pascal Gross.

“We played well in the second half, but that’s the norm. Performance was fine, but expected. We lost the game and got nothing from it.”

Eintracht’s third straight win kept them in third place with 36 points, two behind champions Bayer Leverkusen, who play Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday. Dortmund is 10th on 25.