BVB will round off the 2024 football year in Wolfsburg. Prior to the Bundesliga away game against VfL at the Volkswagen-Arena (17:30 CET on 22/12), Nuri Sahin gave an interview to BVB TV in which he spoke about how he experiences a game on the sidelines, how he recharges his batteries even in tough times and what he has planned for Sunday.

There isn't really anybody in Dortmund who doesn't live and breathe BVB. Has anyone ever come over to you in your everyday life and told you what the line-up should be at the weekend?

"That has certainly happened before. I also have a very big family and a very big circle of friends who are always telling me what I am doing well and what I am not doing so well. I have two children. They also have their own ideas. So, yes, it's completely normal. Everyone means well with it too. Ultimately, they also want Borussia Dortmund to win and that's what makes it all good."

Do your two children also have favourite players in the current squad?

"Yes, they also have their favourites. My little one is a huge fan of Karim. She always hopes that Karim is playing. This question has actually been asked a lot in the last few weeks because he's often been absent. My big one lives and suffers with me and wants us to win our matches."

BVB were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal following a 1-0 defeat in Wolfsburg in October. What did you take away from that match?

"That we played a good game in the situation in which we found ourselves. I think we only travelled with 11 or 12 first-players with experience. That we didn't really play a perfect game across the 120 minutes, but that we played a good one and gave little away. That's also my demand, that we now give it everything we've got once again for 90, 95 minutes and pick up these three points before signing off for the winter break. We owe that to ourselves. It would of course be very, very important in terms of the table if we picked up another three points."

After the cup tie in October, Wolfsburg drew once and then won five matches before losing 3-2 last time out. What makes VfL so strong at present?

"They're a good and robust team. You can recognise clear processes. They are very strong on the counter and, in my opinion, they have a good mix of established Bundesliga players and lots of talent. They're an unpleasant opponent with a coach who has been known for years. He has his own style of play – and they implement it and have been rewarded for that in the last few weeks. It won't be easy, but we feel prepared."

Your team had a day off after the 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim. How have you subsequently prepared yourselves for Wolfsburg?

"We completely analysed the game again together with the team on Wednesday and have also held many discussions beforehand and afterwards. Our senses are sharpened. But sometimes it's good for the lads to have a short break. We, the whole coaching team, were here on the day off and worked. You have this day off as a player but not as a coach. The lads are rested and are training well. And I also have the feeling that they understood that we didn't play a good game against Hoffenheim."

How do you still manage to recharge your batteries, even in difficult situations?

"There are several sources of energy for me. One is my family, of course the children. I try to recharge with them as much as possible. The second is health, eating well, sleeping well. And the biggest source of energy remains simple in our profession: winning. Good training sessions. That feeling when your players are available, when they're fit and when they're healthy. That is then a very, very strong source too. And it might be hard to believe but a win can also make up for a few wrinkles and a few sleepless nights."