Pre-Match Report

Niko Kovac expects “a tough battle from the first to the final whistle” in Berlin

After defeat in the UEFA Champions League during the week, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to secure three important points in the Bundesliga when they head to Union Berlin on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky). Niko Kovac wants his team to be fully committed from the first minute: “If you combine our obvious talent with physicality over 90 minutes, then the better team will always come out on top.”

Scenario
Interestingly, Union Berlin have lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga more often than against any other team (nine times, including five of the last six meetings), but BVB have lost four of their six games at the Alten Försterei. This is Borussia’s highest loss percentage against a club it has played at least twice. “18:30, Wuhlheide, the lights come on and we need to be fast out of the traps. It will be a tough battle from the first to the final whistle,” says the BVB head coach when referring to the other teams who have lost there (including Stuttgart and Leipzig) or only managed to draw there (Bayern Munich!). He demands only one thing of his team: “First, they have to be willing to go toe-to-toe with Union. Only then can we start to play football.”

Aftermath
Tuesday’s game against Tottenham has not been forgotten. “Of course, I know that we have a few things to improve on,” says Kovac in response to the criticism faced by his team, “but I also know that the team has improved significantly compared to last season.” One year ago, “it wasn’t the playing style that was criticised but the results. I’m not happy with certain situations either. If you win only 36% of the duels in the first half, then it’s difficult to win the game. For me, football is first and foremost about intensity and being aggressive. Tackling is the essence of football.”

The press conference at which Niko Kovac discussed the difference between first and second halves and late goals conceded

Personnel matters
Everyone is available except Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury).

At risk of suspension
Three Borussia players – all defenders (!) – are on four yellow cards going into the game: Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck and Yan Couto. They will be suspended if they pick up another yellow card.

Opponent
More than a third (37%) of Union’s goals have come from set pieces, which is the second-highest percentage in the Bundesliga. Their defenders are strong in the air and score more often than their strikers, so it will be important to watch out for that. The team from Köpenick has also recently benefitted from substitutions, with all four of their goals in 2026 being scored by super subs.
Boris Rupert

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Niko Kovac wants his team to be fully committed from the first minute: \u201cIf you combine our obvious talent with physicality over 90 minutes, then the better team will always come out on top.\u201d","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Scenario \n<\/b>Interestingly, Union Berlin have lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga more often than against any other team (nine times, including five of the last six meetings), but BVB have lost four of their six games at the Alten Försterei. This is Borussia\u2019s highest loss percentage against a club it has played at least twice. \u201c18:30, Wuhlheide, the lights come on and we need to be fast out of the traps. It will be a tough battle from the first to the final whistle,\u201d says the BVB head coach when referring to the other teams who have lost there (including Stuttgart and Leipzig) or only managed to draw there (Bayern Munich!). He demands only one thing of his team: \u201cFirst, they have to be willing to go toe-to-toe with Union. Only then can we start to play football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\nAftermath \n<\/b>Tuesday\u2019s game against Tottenham has not been forgotten. \u201cOf course, I know that we have a few things to improve on,\u201d says Kovac in response to the criticism faced by his team, \u201cbut I also know that the team has improved significantly compared to last season.\u201d One year ago, \u201cit wasn\u2019t the playing style that was criticised but the results. I\u2019m not happy with certain situations either. If you win only 36% of the duels in the first half, then it\u2019s difficult to win the game. For me, football is first and foremost about intensity and being aggressive. Tackling is the essence of football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/KN25WHWWzNs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The press conference<\/b> at which Niko Kovac discussed the difference between first and second halves and late goals conceded <\/a><\/p>\nPersonnel matters<\/b> \nEveryone is available except Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury).<\/p>\nAt risk of suspension \n<\/b>Three Borussia players \u2013 all defenders (!) \u2013 are on four yellow cards going into the game: Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck and Yan Couto. They will be suspended if they pick up another yellow card. \n<\/p>\nOpponent \n<\/b>More than a third (37%) of Union\u2019s goals have come from set pieces, which is the second-highest percentage in the Bundesliga. Their defenders are strong in the air and score more often than their strikers, so it will be important to watch out for that. The team from Köpenick has also recently benefitted from substitutions, with all four of their goals in 2026 being scored by super subs. \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Scenario \n<\/b>Interestingly, Union Berlin have lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga more often than against any other team (nine times, including five of the last six meetings), but BVB have lost four of their six games at the Alten Försterei. This is Borussia\u2019s highest loss percentage against a club it has played at least twice. \u201c18:30, Wuhlheide, the lights come on and we need to be fast out of the traps. 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For me, football is first and foremost about intensity and being aggressive. Tackling is the essence of football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/KN25WHWWzNs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The press conference<\/b> at which Niko Kovac discussed the difference between first and second halves and late goals conceded <\/a><\/p>\nPersonnel matters<\/b> \nEveryone is available except Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury).<\/p>\nAt risk of suspension \n<\/b>Three Borussia players \u2013 all defenders (!) \u2013 are on four yellow cards going into the game: Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck and Yan Couto. They will be suspended if they pick up another yellow card. \n<\/p>\nOpponent \n<\/b>More than a third (37%) of Union\u2019s goals have come from set pieces, which is the second-highest percentage in the Bundesliga. Their defenders are strong in the air and score more often than their strikers, so it will be important to watch out for that. The team from Köpenick has also recently benefitted from substitutions, with all four of their goals in 2026 being scored by super subs. \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-6d26a1f253","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Niko Kovac expects \u201ca tough battle from the first to the final whistle\u201d in Berlin","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"1508529312","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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Both clubs have agreed on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Attacking player Julien Duranville is joining reigning Swiss champions FC Basel 1893 on loan with immediate effect. Both clubs have agreed on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"The 19-year-old had been playing for Borussia Dortmund since January 2023. The Belgian joined BVB from RSC Anderlecht and was part of the first-team squad from the outset. Duranville made his Bundesliga debut in May 2023 against 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the age of 17.<\/p>\nHe subsequently played 15 Bundesliga matches, nine Champions League matches and one DFB-Pokal match against Phönix Lübeck, in which he scored his first competitive goal for Borussia Dortmund. During his time at BVB, Duranville also played two senior international matches for Belgium, for whom he made his debut in September 2024.<\/p>\nBVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl says: \u201cJulien has been with us in Dortmund for three years, but he is still a very young player in whom we continue to see great potential. However, due to injuries, among other things, he has not been able to show his talent and abilities to the extent we would have liked. The move to FC Basel now gives him the opportunity to gain regular playing time and develop further. We are convinced that this is the right step for his future prospects here at BVB. 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FC Union Berlin. The home team may have a worse overall record against no other club, but they have nonetheless managed to trip up BVB several times at the Alte Försterei. Everything you need to know about Saturday's clash (kick-off 18:30 CET, live on Sky) in Köpenick.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"On Matchday 19, Borussia Dortmund will travel to 1. FC Union Berlin. The home team may have a worse overall record against no other club, but they have nonetheless managed to trip up BVB several times at the Alte Försterei. Everything you need to know about Saturday's clash (kick-off 18:30 CET, live on Sky) in Köpenick.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"The scenario:<\/b> Ninth against second. Both teams are hard to beat. Union have gone undefeated in five Bundesliga games in a row for the first time this season, Borussia in 11. BVB have lost only one of their last 26 Bundesliga games across this season and last (away to Bayern on Matchday 7) and have 39 points after 18 matchdays \u2013 two more than at the same stage of their championship-winning 2011/12 season.<\/p>\nHome & away:<\/b> Union have picked up 13 of their 24 points at their own stadium, celebrating victories against VfB Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Alte Försterei and picking up a point against Bayern Munich, among others. BVB are now second in the away table, having won four of their nine away games so far (plus four draws and one defeat).<\/p>\nHead-to-head:<\/b> BVB have won eight of the last ten encounters. There has never been a draw in this fixture in the top flight; BVB have played no other club so often without ever sharing the points (13 encounters to date). So far, the team that scored the first goal in the game has always won! Union celebrated their first ever Bundesliga win against Borussia (3-1 on 21 August 2019), but also suffered their heaviest Bundesliga defeat (6-0 in February 2022 in Dortmund). The Irons have lost nine times to Borussia Dortmund and have also conceded the most goals against BVB (34).<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/22/bl-faktenvorschau/84-Union.jpg\" data-assetref=\"84-Union-1769095264580\"><\/p>\nStatistics:<\/b> Borussia Dortmund have scored three goals in each of their three Bundesliga matches in 2026 (3-3 in Frankfurt, 3-0 against Bremen and 3-2 against St. Pauli). Nine different players scored: Beier, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Guirassy, Brandt, Adeyemi and Can. Union Berlin have had more attempted headers on goal than any other team in the league (52) and don't leave themselves exposed: they have conceded just one goal from a counter-attack. Only one team has done better in this regard: BVB (who have yet to concede from a counter-attack).<\/p>\nLast season:<\/b> 22,000 spectators, a sold-out stadium and an electric atmosphere at the Alte Försterei. A few days after a 7-1 rout of Celtic in the Champions League, Borussia tried hard but lacked ideas and punch, while Union were sharp and consistent, deservedly leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Kevin Vogt (26th minute, penalty) and Yorbe Vertessen (45th minute). After the break, BVB improved significantly and pulled one back after an hour through Julian Ryerson. Union then focused purely on defending their lead and managed to hold on to win 2-1.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/22/bl-faktenvorschau/84-Union-Reus-2021.jpg\" data-assetref=\"84-Union-Reus-2021-1769095300591\"><\/b><\/p>\nBiggest away win:<\/b> The first of only two away wins at Union to date was the most convincing. On Matchday 22 of the 2021/22 season, BVB took advantage of their first two chances in a hard-fought game, with Marco Reus (18/26) scoring both goals to give his side a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Union increased the pressure in front of the 10,000 spectators allowed to attend during the Coronavirus pandemic, but Raphael Guerreiro sealed the win with a third goal 20 minutes before the end. \nCompiled by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"The scenario:<\/b> Ninth against second. Both teams are hard to beat. Union have gone undefeated in five Bundesliga games in a row for the first time this season, Borussia in 11. BVB have lost only one of their last 26 Bundesliga games across this season and last (away to Bayern on Matchday 7) and have 39 points after 18 matchdays \u2013 two more than at the same stage of their championship-winning 2011/12 season.<\/p>\nHome & away:<\/b> Union have picked up 13 of their 24 points at their own stadium, celebrating victories against VfB Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Alte Försterei and picking up a point against Bayern Munich, among others. BVB are now second in the away table, having won four of their nine away games so far (plus four draws and one defeat).<\/p>\nHead-to-head:<\/b> BVB have won eight of the last ten encounters. There has never been a draw in this fixture in the top flight; BVB have played no other club so often without ever sharing the points (13 encounters to date). So far, the team that scored the first goal in the game has always won! Union celebrated their first ever Bundesliga win against Borussia (3-1 on 21 August 2019), but also suffered their heaviest Bundesliga defeat (6-0 in February 2022 in Dortmund). The Irons have lost nine times to Borussia Dortmund and have also conceded the most goals against BVB (34).<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/22/bl-faktenvorschau/84-Union.jpg\" data-assetref=\"84-Union-1769095264580\"><\/p>\nStatistics:<\/b> Borussia Dortmund have scored three goals in each of their three Bundesliga matches in 2026 (3-3 in Frankfurt, 3-0 against Bremen and 3-2 against St. Pauli). Nine different players scored: Beier, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Guirassy, Brandt, Adeyemi and Can. Union Berlin have had more attempted headers on goal than any other team in the league (52) and don't leave themselves exposed: they have conceded just one goal from a counter-attack. Only one team has done better in this regard: BVB (who have yet to concede from a counter-attack).<\/p>\nLast season:<\/b> 22,000 spectators, a sold-out stadium and an electric atmosphere at the Alte Försterei. A few days after a 7-1 rout of Celtic in the Champions League, Borussia tried hard but lacked ideas and punch, while Union were sharp and consistent, deservedly leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Kevin Vogt (26th minute, penalty) and Yorbe Vertessen (45th minute). After the break, BVB improved significantly and pulled one back after an hour through Julian Ryerson. Union then focused purely on defending their lead and managed to hold on to win 2-1.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/22/bl-faktenvorschau/84-Union-Reus-2021.jpg\" data-assetref=\"84-Union-Reus-2021-1769095300591\"><\/b><\/p>\nBiggest away win:<\/b> The first of only two away wins at Union to date was the most convincing. On Matchday 22 of the 2021/22 season, BVB took advantage of their first two chances in a hard-fought game, with Marco Reus (18/26) scoring both goals to give his side a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Union increased the pressure in front of the 10,000 spectators allowed to attend during the Coronavirus pandemic, but Raphael Guerreiro sealed the win with a third goal 20 minutes before the end. \nCompiled by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-b14cd9ee33","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Who scores first, wins! ","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"372750970","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. DO NOT EDIT EXISTING VALUES!)","multiValue":false,"value":"2026/1/22/Who-scores-first-wins","exportedType":"text/plain"},"push":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"push","title":"Push (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"tags":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"tags","title":"Tags","multiValue":true,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"scheduledPushTime":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"scheduledPushTime","title":"Scheduled Push Date and Time","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"calendar"},"mainCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"mainCategory","title":"News Type","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/category/vorbericht"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExportSuccess":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExportSuccess","title":"App Export Successful (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"temporaryAppImage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"temporaryAppImage","title":"App Image","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/22/bl-faktenvorschau/84A-Union.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"}}

{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-6a9c13e012":{"dc:description":"Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson and Nico Schlotterbeck spoke ruefully and self-critically about the <a href=\"https://www.bvb.de/de/de/aktuelles/news/news.html/2026/1/20/02-Dezimierte-Dortmunder-erst-im-zweiten-Durchgang-dominant.html\">defeat away to Spurs<\/a>. Here are the match reactions. <\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/21/Reactions-The-first-half-was-really-nothing.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Reactions: \u201cThe first half was really nothing\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-20T23:01:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/21/Reactions-The-first-half-was-really-nothing.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-reaktionen/86M-Kobel.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"20.01.26 23:01 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson and Nico Schlotterbeck spoke ruefully and self-critically about the <a href=\"https://www.bvb.de/de/de/aktuelles/news/news.html/2026/1/20/02-Dezimierte-Dortmunder-erst-im-zweiten-Durchgang-dominant.html\">defeat away to Spurs<\/a>. Here are the match reactions. <\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson and Nico Schlotterbeck spoke ruefully and self-critically about the defeat away to Spurs. Here are the match reactions.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Gregor Kobel<\/b> (on Prime): "Tottenham played with very high intensity, and I felt that we didn't cope with it as well as we should have done. And then came the red card. So the first half was really nothing. In the second half, they were much more passive and dropped back a lot. It was a completely different game then. They let us play, even though they had an extra man. It was good towards the end. We had a few more chances, but overall we weren't dangerous enough."<\/p>\nJulian Ryerson<\/b> (in the mixed zone): "We wanted the win, but we're frustrated about the first half. I thought we did well in the second half with nine against ten. But the first half just wasn't good. We lacked aggression."<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-reaktionen/86-Schlotterbeck.jpg\" data-assetref=\"86-Schlotterbeck-1768949268441\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck <\/b>(on Prime): \u201cWe didn\u2019t quite find a way to play the game we wanted to play. Tottenham weren\u2019t any better than we expected. The first five minutes were okay. After that, we allowed them too many set pieces, defended poorly and then got into a rut that saw us lose every ball. We got a bit stuck in the first half. The red card was just very bitter. In the second half, we put in a decent performance \u2013 considering we were a man down. If we had pulled a goal back, it might have got exciting again. But as it was, we deserved to lose.\u201d (br)<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Gregor Kobel<\/b> (on Prime): "Tottenham played with very high intensity, and I felt that we didn't cope with it as well as we should have done. And then came the red card. So the first half was really nothing. In the second half, they were much more passive and dropped back a lot. It was a completely different game then. They let us play, even though they had an extra man. It was good towards the end. We had a few more chances, but overall we weren't dangerous enough."<\/p>\nJulian Ryerson<\/b> (in the mixed zone): "We wanted the win, but we're frustrated about the first half. I thought we did well in the second half with nine against ten. But the first half just wasn't good. We lacked aggression."<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-reaktionen/86-Schlotterbeck.jpg\" data-assetref=\"86-Schlotterbeck-1768949268441\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck <\/b>(on Prime): \u201cWe didn\u2019t quite find a way to play the game we wanted to play. Tottenham weren\u2019t any better than we expected. The first five minutes were okay. After that, we allowed them too many set pieces, defended poorly and then got into a rut that saw us lose every ball. We got a bit stuck in the first half. The red card was just very bitter. In the second half, we put in a decent performance \u2013 considering we were a man down. If we had pulled a goal back, it might have got exciting again. But as it was, we deserved to lose.\u201d (br)<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-6a9c13e012","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Reactions: \u201cThe first half was really nothing\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/5/2601904_7_tottenhamhotspur-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/5/2601904_7_tottenhamhotspur-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"-21280125","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. DO NOT EDIT EXISTING VALUES!)","multiValue":false,"value":"2026/1/21/Reactions-The-first-half-was-really-nothing","exportedType":"text/plain"},"push":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"push","title":"Push (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"tags":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"tags","title":"Tags","multiValue":true,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"scheduledPushTime":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"scheduledPushTime","title":"Scheduled Push Date and Time","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"calendar"},"mainCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"mainCategory","title":"News Type","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/category/nachbericht"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExportSuccess":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExportSuccess","title":"App Export Successful (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"temporaryAppImage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"temporaryAppImage","title":"App Image","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-reaktionen/86A-Kobel.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"}}

{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-4313265134":{"dc:description":"Borussia Dortmund deservedly lost 2-0 (2-0) to Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League, missing out on the chance to secure a place in the play-offs for the round of 16 with a draw, or even to secure direct entry into the round of 16 with a win. The team got themselves into trouble in a lacklustre first half display due to sloppy play and a harsh red card for Daniel Svensson.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/20/Decimated-Dortmund-lose-2-0-despite-second-half-improvement.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Decimated Dortmund lose 2-0 despite second-half improvement","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-20T22:01:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/20/Decimated-Dortmund-lose-2-0-despite-second-half-improvement.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88M-Nmecha-Tottenham.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"20.01.26 22:01 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Borussia Dortmund deservedly lost 2-0 (2-0) to Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League, missing out on the chance to secure a place in the play-offs for the round of 16 with a draw, or even to secure direct entry into the round of 16 with a win. The team got themselves into trouble in a lacklustre first half display due to sloppy play and a harsh red card for Daniel Svensson.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Borussia Dortmund deservedly lost 2-0 (2-0) to Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League, missing out on the chance to secure a place in the play-offs for the round of 16 with a draw, or even to secure direct entry into the round of 16 with a win. The team got themselves into trouble in a lacklustre first half display due to sloppy play and a harsh red card for Daniel Svensson.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Personnel matters \n<\/b>The Black & Yellows had to do without Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury) and Salih Özcan (not eligible to play). Aaron Anselmino (bench) and Ramy Bensebaini (starting line-up) returned to the squad. In addition to Bensebaini, Yan Couto and Serhou Guirassy moved into the starting line-up after starting as substitutes three days earlier against St. Pauli (3-2). Emre Can, Julian Ryerson and Fabio Silva took their places on the bench. \n<\/p>\nThe match \n<\/b>The only time his team showed what coach Niko Kovac was hoping to see was in the opening minutes, when they put pressure on the hosts' central defenders with a high press. But the game changed with Spurs' first attack: Daniel Svensson was forced to intervene just in time to block a shot from former Leipzig player Xavi Simons (6). The second corner led to the first goal: although the intended recipient of the cross, Odobert, initially failed to connect with the ball, he then won a challenge against Julian Brandt and sent the ball sharply into the box. Defender Romero redirected the low cross into the net to make it 1-0 (14). The Black & Yellows penalty area was then under constant threat in the subsequent period of play. \n<\/b><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Guirassy-Tottenham.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Guirassy-Tottenham-1768942922493\"><\/p>\nYan Couto had great difficulty dealing with Spence on Tottenham\u2019s left wing, and his counterpart on the other side, Svensson, was shown a red card (26) after VAR intervention for a foul on Odobert, which was certainly unintentional. Mats Hummels on Prime: \u201cFor me, it wasn\u2019t a red card. It\u2019s a freeze frame decision.\u201d The team switched to a 4-4-1 formation (previously 3-4-3), but struggled to hold their own and were losing out in many challenges. After a one-two with Pedro Porro, Odobert broke through on the right wing and crossed low to Solanke, who struck the ball against his own leg but was still able to celebrate the 2-0 lead as the ball went over the line via the left post (37). The half-time deficit was well deserved, given that BVB had only managed 0 shots on goal compared to 11 for the home side and won only 36% of their challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>Two changes for the second half<\/h2>\nKovac initially stabilised the defence during the break, bringing on Julian Ryerson and Emre Can for the attacking players Brandt and Guirassy. Now playing in a 5-3-1 formation (with Adeyemi up front), Can moved into midfield and Ryerson took Svensson\u2019s position at full-back. A free kick from the Norwegian from 20 metres looked promising, but then curled to the left and flew past the target. The game was now mostly being played in Spurs\u2019 half, and Kovac reacted again, bringing on Fabio Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka for Karim Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha for the final 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Rot.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Rot-1768942889957\"><\/p>\nAfter 70 minutes, Tottenham became more active again, creating two big chances that Kobel saved. In the closing stages, BVB continued to try to make up for the first 45 minutes and amend the scoreboard, but apart from Schlotterbeck\u2019s header at the start of stoppage time, they failed to create any serious scoring opportunities.<\/p>\nOutlook \n<\/b>The final matchday of the league phase is scheduled for Wednesday next week (28 January), when Borussia Dortmund host Inter Milan at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. But first, the action moves to Berlin in the Bundesliga: on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky), BVB face 1. FC Union. \n<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2\u20130 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND<\/b><\/h2>\nUEFA Champions League, Matchday 7 \n <\/b>Tuesday, 20. January 2026, 21:00 CET<\/p>\nTottenham Hotspur:<\/b> Vicario \u2013 Pedro Porro, Danso, Romero, Udogie \u2013 Bergvall (63, Byfield), Gray \u2013 Odobert, Xavi Simons, Spence \u2013 Solanke (70, Kolo Muani) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Austin, Kinsky; Hardy, Rowswell, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Akhamrich, Scarlett, Thompson, Rowswell<\/b><\/p>\nBorussia Dortmund: <\/b>Kobel \u2013 Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini \u2013 Couto (76, Beier), Bellingham, Nmecha (65, Chukwuemeka), Svensson \u2013 Adeyemi (65, Fabio Silva), Guirassy (46, Can), Brandt (46, Ryerson) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Meyer, Ostrzinski; Süle, Duranville, Anselmino, Mane<\/p>\nGoals:<\/b> 1-0 Romero (14, Odobert), 2-0 Solanke (37, Odobert) \nRed cards:<\/b> Svensson (26, foul play) \nYellow cards:<\/b> Gray \u2013 Ryerson \nReferee:<\/b> Nyberg (Schweden) \nAttendance:<\/b> 52,713 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Grafik.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Grafik-1768942867752\"><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Personnel matters \n<\/b>The Black & Yellows had to do without Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury) and Salih Özcan (not eligible to play). Aaron Anselmino (bench) and Ramy Bensebaini (starting line-up) returned to the squad. In addition to Bensebaini, Yan Couto and Serhou Guirassy moved into the starting line-up after starting as substitutes three days earlier against St. Pauli (3-2). Emre Can, Julian Ryerson and Fabio Silva took their places on the bench. \n<\/p>\nThe match \n<\/b>The only time his team showed what coach Niko Kovac was hoping to see was in the opening minutes, when they put pressure on the hosts' central defenders with a high press. But the game changed with Spurs' first attack: Daniel Svensson was forced to intervene just in time to block a shot from former Leipzig player Xavi Simons (6). The second corner led to the first goal: although the intended recipient of the cross, Odobert, initially failed to connect with the ball, he then won a challenge against Julian Brandt and sent the ball sharply into the box. Defender Romero redirected the low cross into the net to make it 1-0 (14). The Black & Yellows penalty area was then under constant threat in the subsequent period of play. \n<\/b><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Guirassy-Tottenham.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Guirassy-Tottenham-1768942922493\"><\/p>\nYan Couto had great difficulty dealing with Spence on Tottenham\u2019s left wing, and his counterpart on the other side, Svensson, was shown a red card (26) after VAR intervention for a foul on Odobert, which was certainly unintentional. Mats Hummels on Prime: \u201cFor me, it wasn\u2019t a red card. It\u2019s a freeze frame decision.\u201d The team switched to a 4-4-1 formation (previously 3-4-3), but struggled to hold their own and were losing out in many challenges. After a one-two with Pedro Porro, Odobert broke through on the right wing and crossed low to Solanke, who struck the ball against his own leg but was still able to celebrate the 2-0 lead as the ball went over the line via the left post (37). The half-time deficit was well deserved, given that BVB had only managed 0 shots on goal compared to 11 for the home side and won only 36% of their challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>Two changes for the second half<\/h2>\nKovac initially stabilised the defence during the break, bringing on Julian Ryerson and Emre Can for the attacking players Brandt and Guirassy. Now playing in a 5-3-1 formation (with Adeyemi up front), Can moved into midfield and Ryerson took Svensson\u2019s position at full-back. A free kick from the Norwegian from 20 metres looked promising, but then curled to the left and flew past the target. The game was now mostly being played in Spurs\u2019 half, and Kovac reacted again, bringing on Fabio Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka for Karim Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha for the final 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Rot.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Rot-1768942889957\"><\/p>\nAfter 70 minutes, Tottenham became more active again, creating two big chances that Kobel saved. In the closing stages, BVB continued to try to make up for the first 45 minutes and amend the scoreboard, but apart from Schlotterbeck\u2019s header at the start of stoppage time, they failed to create any serious scoring opportunities.<\/p>\nOutlook \n<\/b>The final matchday of the league phase is scheduled for Wednesday next week (28 January), when Borussia Dortmund host Inter Milan at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. But first, the action moves to Berlin in the Bundesliga: on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky), BVB face 1. FC Union. \n<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2\u20130 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND<\/b><\/h2>\nUEFA Champions League, Matchday 7 \n <\/b>Tuesday, 20. January 2026, 21:00 CET<\/p>\nTottenham Hotspur:<\/b> Vicario \u2013 Pedro Porro, Danso, Romero, Udogie \u2013 Bergvall (63, Byfield), Gray \u2013 Odobert, Xavi Simons, Spence \u2013 Solanke (70, Kolo Muani) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Austin, Kinsky; Hardy, Rowswell, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Akhamrich, Scarlett, Thompson, Rowswell<\/b><\/p>\nBorussia Dortmund: <\/b>Kobel \u2013 Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini \u2013 Couto (76, Beier), Bellingham, Nmecha (65, Chukwuemeka), Svensson \u2013 Adeyemi (65, Fabio Silva), Guirassy (46, Can), Brandt (46, Ryerson) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Meyer, Ostrzinski; Süle, Duranville, Anselmino, Mane<\/p>\nGoals:<\/b> 1-0 Romero (14, Odobert), 2-0 Solanke (37, Odobert) \nRed cards:<\/b> Svensson (26, foul play) \nYellow cards:<\/b> Gray \u2013 Ryerson \nReferee:<\/b> Nyberg (Schweden) \nAttendance:<\/b> 52,713 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/20/ucl-spielbericht/88-Grafik.jpg\" data-assetref=\"88-Grafik-1768942867752\"><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-4313265134","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Decimated Dortmund lose 2-0 despite second-half improvement","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/5/2601904_7_tottenhamhotspur-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/5/2601904_7_tottenhamhotspur-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"-1639948050","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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