Dortmund react to embarrassing Kiel defeat as pressure mounts on Sahin | OneFootball

Criticism of Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin was widespread during and after Tuesday's 4-2 Bundesliga defeat to Holstein Kiel.

But after the game, the 36-year-old was backed by the club's managing director for sport, Lars Ricken, who believes the finger of blame should rather be pointed at the players.

“Professional sport is competitive sport, in which you have to perform for 90 minutes and get results. The first half was embarrassing and unworthy. It wasn't until the 71st minute that we saw what could have been possible today,” Ricken told Sky Germany after the game, in which Dortmund trailed 3-0 at half-time.

“We have players with the highest expectations of themselves and we have the highest expectations of them. We have top conditions. You currently don't see the readiness to appreciate that. The coach has prepared the team outstandingly well emotionally and tactically, and so we're not having a discussion about the coach.”

The defeat leaves Dortmund in ninth place in the Bundesliga ahead of Wednesday's matches.

"The position we're in in the table is well deserved. It is not the product of coincidence or unfortunate circumstances, but of the performances we have produced. The table speaks for itself. We're all flying to Frankfurt together now and we're placing the onus on the team. Our expectation is that we at least win this game," Ricken said, looking ahead to Friday's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sahin himself spoke of an "absolute non-performance".

"It's my responsibility, it's absolutely shameful," said the BVB coach.

“I know how football works. Football is a result-oriented sport. I am judged by the results, because I bear all the responsibility. There's nothing more to say,” added Sahin.