Nuri Sahin warns Dortmund to improve for Donetsk

Published on 13/02/2013 01:49

PLAYMAKER Nuri Sahin has pleaded for a reaction from Borussia Dortmund in tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie at Shakhtar Donetsk after the Germans lurched to a 4-1 home defeat to SV Hamburg in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Dortmund topped their group with ease earlier in this season’s competition but they will need a much better display against dangerous Shakhtar than the one they served up on Saturday.

“It was a very painful defeat because we should not be letting in four goals at home,” said Sahin. “We can make it all good again on Wednesday but we have to be very focused because Shakhtar are a team that will punish us if we make mistakes.

“There has to be a marked improvement in our performance.”

Shakhtar are going into the knockout stage without any match practice due to a three-month winter break in their domestic league. They have also sold Brazilian midfielder Willian to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.