Nuri Sahin has never played against Borussia Dortmund, the club where he came through the youth academy. This was likely to change this season, as the midfielder left to join Werder. However, with the Green-Whites now being drawn against BVB in the cup, Sahin could now face his old side three times this campaign. When asked if it was a dream tie, the midfielder replied “It would be if we were playing Dortmund in the final in Berlin. They’ll be special significant games for my family and I.”
Werder will face Dortmund in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal on either the 5th or 6th of February 2019. However, Sahin could line up against his former side for the first time on matchday 15, in the middle of December. “It’s always nice to play in their stadium, but I hope that there won’t be too many games,” said Sahin, winking. The 30-year-old has been associated with BVB for 17 years, only leaving for short spells in Rotterdam, Madrid and Liverpool. He still loves the club.
A few of the guys from Dortmund have messaged me and said that they’ll have to boo meNuri Sahin
There have also been a few messages from Dortmund following the cup draw on Sunday. Quite a few friends from Lüdenscheid have sent messages, including Marcel Schmelzer. “A few of the guys from Dortmund have messaged me and said that they’ll have to boo me,” said Sahin, laughing, but it won’t come to that. The youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history will be welcomed back to warm applause, before the teams battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
Sahin isn’t surprised that BVB are in such good form at the moment. “We’ve still got some time and games before we play them. Dortmund are very good at the moment, outstanding even, and not just in terms of results,” said Sahin. BVB look “Young and fresh, but mature at the same time. They’re playing exciting football and are probably one of the most in-form teams in Europe, but you don’t know what kind of form they’ll be in come February.”
