Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin has disclosed why his side opted to skip the customary pre-match training session at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of their Champions League encounter against Real Madrid.
Traditionally, visiting teams hold at least one session at the host stadium before such high-stakes games. In a surprising move, Sahin chose to break from tradition, with Dortmund staying at their own facilities in Germany to prepare.
According to a report from Diario AS, the Bundesliga giants decided to carry out their final training in Germany before boarding a flight to Madrid, only holding the usual pre-match press conference upon arrival.
This decision raised eyebrows, with speculation swirling around potential concerns over spying or strategic advantages.
Nuri Sahin, however, dismissed any such theories, providing a straightforward explanation for his choice.
Addressing the media, he clarified, as quoted by Tribuna:...Read Full Article [Click Here>]
“We have many away matches coming up in the next few weeks, and we want to make the most of our facilities.
“I’ve read about spies, but that’s unrelated. Today, we have all the videos to analyse [games]. I just wanted to give them [the Borussia Dortmund players] a bit more time to spend at home.”
Sahin’s reasoning highlights a more practical approach.
“If you train after travelling, after two hours on the plane, it’s different,” the Dortmund boss explained.
“That’s all there’s to it. We’ve exchanged [videos of] games with Madrid; they’ve seen our matches, and we’ve seen theirs.”
Dortmund’s form this season backs up Sahin’s confidence.
