Pre-Match Report
UEFA Champions League: the ticker for the trip to London
Monday, 19 January 2026
Today’s schedule:
- Final training session in Dortmund
- Flight to London
- Press conference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
+++ Press conference with Niko Kovac and Felix Nmecha +++
At tomorrow’s venue, journalists ask Niko Kovac and Felix Nmecha their questions. Kovac: “It’s an important game. We’re neighbours in the table. The winner will still have the chance to reach the last eight. But we also know that Tottenham have won their first three home games without conceding a goal. That means we have to work hard, work a lot, work with concentration.” To the preview.
+++ Hello from London +++
After a smooth flight, during which the passengers were able to catch a glimpse of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK shortly after take-off, Borussia have arrived in England. Now it’s time for the last stop of the day: Niko Kovac and Felix Nmecha are on their way to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the press conference.
+++ Media round with Lars Ricken +++
Before leaving for London, Lars Ricken answered questions from the media at the airport. “We have set ourselves some goals and want to put even more pressure on our opponents, be even more dominant and score goals,” said the sporting director. More statements can be found here.
+++ Arrival at the airport +++
The BVB professionals have arrived at Dortmund Airport. Check-in, baggage drop-off, security check – and then it’s off to London on the team flight EW 1909. This is the squad.
+++ Final training session +++
Ramy Bensebaini and Aaron Anselmino, who were recently sidelined, are taking part in team training. Marcel Sabitzer is still out with calf problems and will not be travelling to London.
With temperatures of five degrees and sunshine, the Borussia players take to the training ground in Brackel on Monday afternoon – Julian Ryerson and Niklas Süle are the only ones who have opted for shorts.
Niko Kovac gathered his players for a short pep talk at the start of the final training session. The professionals then completed their warm-up programme before the Champions League balls were brought into play.
More photos can be found in the picture gallery.
+++ Nyberg to referee the match +++
UEFA has entrusted Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg with officiating the match. The 37-year-old is refereeing his 16th Champions League match, his third involving Borussia Dortmund (1-1 against Paris in December 2023, 3-1 against Donetsk in January 2025). He will be assisted by his compatriots Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Söderkvist. The VAR is Dutchman Dennis Higler.
+++ Good morning (still) from Dortmund +++
Borussia Dortmund are travelling for the last time in this Champions League group stage: in the afternoon, the BVB team will take off for London on the Eurowings team flight, where tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur awaits. Before that, the final training session is scheduled to take place on home turf in Dortmund-Brackel.
After arriving in the British capital, head coach Niko Kovac and midfielder Felix Nmecha will head straight to the stadium for a press conference – which can be watched live from 20:00 CET on BVB-TV.
