Rami Bensebaïni responds to criticism after difficult week for Dortmund

Algeria defender Rami Bensebaïni has responded to criticism of his recent performances for Borussia Dortmund after a difficult week that culminated in the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League.

The 30-year-old left-back faced scrutiny following Dortmund’s playoff defeat to Atalanta, a match in which he was involved in two of the goals conceded.

Bensebaïni also gave away a penalty before receiving a red card late in the game, incidents that played a part in the German club’s exit from the competition.

Speaking to the official website of the Bundesliga on Friday, the Algerian international addressed the reaction to his performances but insisted he was focused on regaining his rhythm.

“I’m not doing anything exceptional, I’m letting things take their course. It was a difficult week, I’m just trying to avoid social media to refocus.”

The defender also spoke about observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan while continuing to compete at the highest level. Bensebaïni said fasting had not significantly affected his ability to perform.

“It’s not complicated, you just have to find the balance between training, rest, and recovery.

The first few days, I feel a bit tired, but I adapt quickly, especially since the matches I played were after Iftar.”

Dortmund’s recent league defeat to Bayern Munich added further pressure on the squad. Reflecting on that match, Bensebaïni acknowledged that his side had started strongly but were ultimately beaten by a more clinical opponent.

“We knew it would be a difficult match. We started well and scored the first goal, but they deserved the victory with the few chances they had.”

Despite the setbacks, Bensebaïni believes improvement across the team can help Dortmund recover momentum in the weeks ahead.

“We need to improve in every aspect, defensively to reduce the opposition’s chances, and offensively to create more opportunities and be more efficient. If we can do that, we can do better.”

Bensebaïni has often been used from the bench this season by Dortmund coach Niko Kovač. During several matches played during Ramadan, he was not included in the starting line-up so he could observe his fast.

As Dortmund look to stabilise their form following their European exit, the defender’s response suggests he remains determined to move past a difficult spell and contribute to the club’s improvement.