Draw: BVB’s opponents and tickets in the Champions League

{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-6d26a1f253":{"dc:description":"<p>The group stage of the UEFA Champions League brings Borussia Dortmund two matches against Premier League clubs, a long trip to the Caspian Sea, a game on artificial turf north of the Arctic Circle, and a total of four opponents against whom the Black and Yellows have never before competed for points or trophies.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/Champions-League-These-are-the-opponents-BVB-is-looking-forward-to-facing-in-the-group-stage.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Champions League: These are the opponents BVB is looking forward to facing in the group stage","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T17:22:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":["bvbweb:news/sub-category/profis"],"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/2026/8/27/Champions-League-These-are-the-opponents-BVB-is-looking-forward-to-facing-in-the-group-stage.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/15M-Gegner.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":"27.08.26 17:22 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>The group stage of the UEFA Champions League brings Borussia Dortmund two matches against Premier League clubs, a long trip to the Caspian Sea, a game on artificial turf north of the Arctic Circle, and a total of four opponents against whom the Black and Yellows have never before competed for points or trophies.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"The group stage of the UEFA Champions League brings Borussia Dortmund two matches against Premier League clubs, a long trip to the Caspian Sea, a game on artificial turf north of the Arctic Circle, and a total of four opponents against whom the Black and Yellows have never before competed for points or trophies.","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":"<p>Everything was on the line at the draw in Monaco. The four home and four away opponents for the 2026\u201327 season have now been determined. UEFA will announce the exact dates of the matches by Saturday. Today, Thursday, former star strikers Thierry Henry and David Villa began by drawing the opponents for all 36 participating teams.<\/p>\n<p>BVB already faced three of its eight opponents last year: At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB will once again take on Inter Milan and Villarreal CF\u2014and these two matchups cannot be repeated next year\u2014and will also face FK Bodø/Glimt from Norway again, though this time on the road. The other home opponents are Real Betis from Seville and AEK Athens\u2014both of which will be first-time opponents! Away from home, Borussia will face Bodø/Glimt, as well as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Sabah FK in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<h2>Home Opponents<\/h2>\n<p><b>Inter Milan<br>\n <\/b>The 21-time Italian champions have reached the Champions League final twice in the past four seasons. Inter has won the trophy three times (most recently in 2010), but suffered a surprising defeat last season in the Round of 16 against Bodø/Glimt\u2014a team that shocked more than just BVB. BVB lost the head-to-head match against Inter 0\u20132. There will be a reunion with Manuel Akanji and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.<\/p>\n<p><b>Real Betis<br>\n <\/b>Real Betis Balompié, known as Real Betis for short or simply Betis\u2014that\u2019s the name of Spain\u2019s 1935 champion and three-time cup winner. Their greatest international achievement was reaching the final of the 2025 UEFA Conference League. Former Borussia player Marc Bartra (pictured) played a key role in helping the team finish fifth in La Liga last season, thereby qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in the club\u2019s history. BVB has not yet faced Betis in a head-to-head match.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"89-Bartra-1787854532000\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/89-Bartra.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>FC Villarreal<br>\n <\/b>The second Spanish opponent\u2014which finished third last year\u2014comes from Pot 3, even though it made a splash internationally by winning the 2021 UEFA Europa League and reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League the following year. In last season\u2019s league campaign, however, \u201cthe Yellow Submarine\u201d finished in 35th place with just one point earned. At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB won 4-0.<\/p>\n<p><b>AEK Athens<br>\n<\/b>Borussia Dortmund has signed two Greek players, Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias\u2014and will now face the 14-time Greek champions for the first time. AEK Athens prevailed over Levski Sofia in the playoffs and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the eighth time. The best-known player in the AEK squad in Germany is former Frankfurt player Luka Jović.<\/p>\n<h2>The Away Opponents<\/h2>\n<p><b>Arsenal FC<br>\n<\/b>During last season\u2019s preseason, BVB defeated the Gunners in the Emirates Cup. The most recent of eight Champions League matchups (record: three wins, one draw, four losses) took place twelve years ago. Arsenal, featuring former Dortmund player and World Cup champion Mikel Merino (pictured), recently celebrated its first English league title since 2004 (its 14th overall) and was the only (!) team last season not to lose a single match in the Champions League (including eight wins in the group stage). Nevertheless, the title went to Paris because PSG won the final in a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"89-Merino-1787854604765\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/89-Merino.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Aston Villa<br>\n <\/b>Former Borussia Dortmund player Ian Maatsen wears the jersey of one of the oldest English clubs of all time, which Borussia Dortmund will face for the first time in European competition. Aston Villa is a founding member of both the Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992). Seven-time league champions (most recently in 1981), seven-time cup winners (most recently in 1957). The club won the European Cup in 1982 and the UEFA Europa League in 2026 (3\u20130 against Freiburg).<\/p>\n<p><b>FK Bodø/Glimt<br>\n<\/b>Norway\u2019s champion in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, currently leads the Eliteserien standings and is set to make its second appearance in the UEFA Champions League. The first was a whirlwind run. After finishing 23rd in the league stage (including a 2\u20132 draw in Dortmund), the team defeated Inter Milan 3\u20131 and 2\u20131 in the round of 16 playoffs; in the round of 16, the club fell to Sporting CP of Lisbon 0\u20135 in extra time after a 3\u20130 victory in the first leg. The match will be played at Aspmyra Stadium in front of 7,896 spectators on artificial turf. Due to the team\u2019s colors, Borussia will have to wear their alternate jerseys.<\/p>\n<p><b>Sabah FK<br>\n <\/b>After a 1-2 first-leg loss in the playoffs against Hapoel Be\u2019er Sheva, the club\u2014founded in 2017 and which won its first championship in 2026\u2014came back from two deficits to prevail 5-2 in extra time. It typically plays its international home games at the Tofiq Bəhramov Stadium in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital, Baku, where BVB has also played before (against Qarabagh in 2010).<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"15-Gegner-1787854693790\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/15-Gegner.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Advance<\/b> <b>ticket<\/b> <b>sales <\/b>for the first home game will take place next Tuesday, <b>September 1<\/b>: as always, online starting at 12 p.m. in the Borussia Dortmund ticket shop for <b>club members<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>The results of the league-phase matches will be incorporated into a combined standings table for all 36 participants. The clubs that occupy one of the top eight spots after eight matchdays qualify directly for the knockout round, which begins with the round of 16. For the teams in the bottom twelve spots (25 through 36), the European Cup season ends in late January. The teams ranked 9th through 24th will compete in the play-offs for the round of 16 to determine eight additional participants for that stage. In these play-offs, teams immediately above or below each other in the standings are paired together. A draw will then only determine, for example, whether the ninth-place team faces the club in 23rd or 24th place (which in turn determines the opponent for the club in 10th place).<\/p>\n<p>UEFA plans to announce the <b>schedule<\/b> by Saturday, August 29, at the latest.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Match dates for the league phase<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Matchday 1: September 8\u201310, 2026 (Tue\u2013Thu)<br>\nMatchday 2: October 13\u201314, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 3: October 20\u201321, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 4: November 3\u20134, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 5: November 24\u201325, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 6: December 8\u20139, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 7: January 19\u201320, 2027 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 8: January 27, 2027 (Wed)<br>\n<i>Compiled by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.bvb.de/de/de/aktuelles/news/news.html/2026/8/27/Stimmen-zur-Auslosung-Werden-zum-Auftakt-bereit-sein.html\">Reactions to the Draw: \u201cWe\u2019ll Be Ready for the Season Opener\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<p>Everything was on the line at the draw in Monaco. The four home and four away opponents for the 2026\u201327 season have now been determined. UEFA will announce the exact dates of the matches by Saturday. Today, Thursday, former star strikers Thierry Henry and David Villa began by drawing the opponents for all 36 participating teams.<\/p>\n<p>BVB already faced three of its eight opponents last year: At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB will once again take on Inter Milan and Villarreal CF\u2014and these two matchups cannot be repeated next year\u2014and will also face FK Bodø/Glimt from Norway again, though this time on the road. The other home opponents are Real Betis from Seville and AEK Athens\u2014both of which will be first-time opponents! Away from home, Borussia will face Bodø/Glimt, as well as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Sabah FK in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<h2>Home Opponents<\/h2>\n<p><b>Inter Milan<br>\n <\/b>The 21-time Italian champions have reached the Champions League final twice in the past four seasons. Inter has won the trophy three times (most recently in 2010), but suffered a surprising defeat last season in the Round of 16 against Bodø/Glimt\u2014a team that shocked more than just BVB. BVB lost the head-to-head match against Inter 0\u20132. There will be a reunion with Manuel Akanji and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.<\/p>\n<p><b>Real Betis<br>\n <\/b>Real Betis Balompié, known as Real Betis for short or simply Betis\u2014that\u2019s the name of Spain\u2019s 1935 champion and three-time cup winner. Their greatest international achievement was reaching the final of the 2025 UEFA Conference League. Former Borussia player Marc Bartra (pictured) played a key role in helping the team finish fifth in La Liga last season, thereby qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in the club\u2019s history. BVB has not yet faced Betis in a head-to-head match.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"89-Bartra-1787854532000\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/89-Bartra.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>FC Villarreal<br>\n <\/b>The second Spanish opponent\u2014which finished third last year\u2014comes from Pot 3, even though it made a splash internationally by winning the 2021 UEFA Europa League and reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League the following year. In last season\u2019s league campaign, however, \u201cthe Yellow Submarine\u201d finished in 35th place with just one point earned. At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB won 4-0.<\/p>\n<p><b>AEK Athens<br>\n<\/b>Borussia Dortmund has signed two Greek players, Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias\u2014and will now face the 14-time Greek champions for the first time. AEK Athens prevailed over Levski Sofia in the playoffs and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the eighth time. The best-known player in the AEK squad in Germany is former Frankfurt player Luka Jović.<\/p>\n<h2>The Away Opponents<\/h2>\n<p><b>Arsenal FC<br>\n<\/b>During last season\u2019s preseason, BVB defeated the Gunners in the Emirates Cup. The most recent of eight Champions League matchups (record: three wins, one draw, four losses) took place twelve years ago. Arsenal, featuring former Dortmund player and World Cup champion Mikel Merino (pictured), recently celebrated its first English league title since 2004 (its 14th overall) and was the only (!) team last season not to lose a single match in the Champions League (including eight wins in the group stage). Nevertheless, the title went to Paris because PSG won the final in a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"89-Merino-1787854604765\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/89-Merino.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Aston Villa<br>\n <\/b>Former Borussia Dortmund player Ian Maatsen wears the jersey of one of the oldest English clubs of all time, which Borussia Dortmund will face for the first time in European competition. Aston Villa is a founding member of both the Football League (1888) and the Premier League (1992). Seven-time league champions (most recently in 1981), seven-time cup winners (most recently in 1957). The club won the European Cup in 1982 and the UEFA Europa League in 2026 (3\u20130 against Freiburg).<\/p>\n<p><b>FK Bodø/Glimt<br>\n<\/b>Norway\u2019s champion in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, currently leads the Eliteserien standings and is set to make its second appearance in the UEFA Champions League. The first was a whirlwind run. After finishing 23rd in the league stage (including a 2\u20132 draw in Dortmund), the team defeated Inter Milan 3\u20131 and 2\u20131 in the round of 16 playoffs; in the round of 16, the club fell to Sporting CP of Lisbon 0\u20135 in extra time after a 3\u20130 victory in the first leg. The match will be played at Aspmyra Stadium in front of 7,896 spectators on artificial turf. Due to the team\u2019s colors, Borussia will have to wear their alternate jerseys.<\/p>\n<p><b>Sabah FK<br>\n <\/b>After a 1-2 first-leg loss in the playoffs against Hapoel Be\u2019er Sheva, the club\u2014founded in 2017 and which won its first championship in 2026\u2014came back from two deficits to prevail 5-2 in extra time. It typically plays its international home games at the Tofiq Bəhramov Stadium in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital, Baku, where BVB has also played before (against Qarabagh in 2010).<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"15-Gegner-1787854693790\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-gegner-hintergrund/15-Gegner.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Advance<\/b> <b>ticket<\/b> <b>sales <\/b>for the first home game will take place next Tuesday, <b>September 1<\/b>: as always, online starting at 12 p.m. in the Borussia Dortmund ticket shop for <b>club members<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>The results of the league-phase matches will be incorporated into a combined standings table for all 36 participants. The clubs that occupy one of the top eight spots after eight matchdays qualify directly for the knockout round, which begins with the round of 16. For the teams in the bottom twelve spots (25 through 36), the European Cup season ends in late January. The teams ranked 9th through 24th will compete in the play-offs for the round of 16 to determine eight additional participants for that stage. In these play-offs, teams immediately above or below each other in the standings are paired together. A draw will then only determine, for example, whether the ninth-place team faces the club in 23rd or 24th place (which in turn determines the opponent for the club in 10th place).<\/p>\n<p>UEFA plans to announce the <b>schedule<\/b> by Saturday, August 29, at the latest.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Match dates for the league phase<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Matchday 1: September 8\u201310, 2026 (Tue\u2013Thu)<br>\nMatchday 2: October 13\u201314, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 3: October 20\u201321, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 4: November 3\u20134, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 5: November 24\u201325, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 6: December 8\u20139, 2026 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 7: January 19\u201320, 2027 (Tue/Wed)<br>\nMatchday 8: January 27, 2027 (Wed)<br>\n<i>Compiled by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.bvb.de/de/de/aktuelles/news/news.html/2026/8/27/Stimmen-zur-Auslosung-Werden-zum-Auftakt-bereit-sein.html\">Reactions to the Draw: \u201cWe\u2019ll Be Ready for the Season Opener\u201d<\/a><\/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":"Champions League: These are the opponents BVB is looking forward to facing in the group stage","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-345c585281":{"dc:description":"<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll show that we don\u2019t have to shy away from even the best teams in Europe,\u201d said sporting director Ole Book after the draw. Managing director Lars Ricken is looking forward to \u201cexciting matches,\u201d and head coach Niko Kovac expects \u201cthrilling encounters.\u201d Reactions to the draw.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/Reactions-to-the-draw-Well-be-ready-for-the-opener.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Reactions to the draw: \u201cWe\u2019ll be ready for the opener\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T17:10:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/27/Reactions-to-the-draw-Well-be-ready-for-the-opener.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-stimmen/90M-Kovac.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":"27.08.26 17:10 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll show that we don\u2019t have to shy away from even the best teams in Europe,\u201d said sporting director Ole Book after the draw. Managing director Lars Ricken is looking forward to \u201cexciting matches,\u201d and head coach Niko Kovac expects \u201cthrilling encounters.\u201d Reactions to the draw.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"\u201cWe\u2019ll show that we don\u2019t have to shy away from even the best teams in Europe,\u201d said sporting director Ole Book after the draw. Managing director Lars Ricken is looking forward to \u201cexciting matches,\u201d and head coach Niko Kovac expects \u201cthrilling encounters.\u201d Reactions to the draw.","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":"<p><b>Lars Ricken:<\/b> \u201cThese are exciting matches that we can look forward to. With Inter Milan, Villarreal CF, and Bodø/Glimt, we\u2019ll be facing three familiar opponents from last season, while at the same time, AEK Athens and Sabah FK \u2013 two teams we\u2019ve never played before \u2013 are waiting for us. That\u2019s certainly exciting, especially since we still have a score to settle with Inter and Bodø from last year. Our minimum goal is to reach the Round of 16 \u2013 ideally, we\u2019ll achieve that within these eight games.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"14-Stimmen-Ricken-1787851331982\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-stimmen/14-Stimmen-Ricken.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Ole Book:<\/b> \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to eight very interesting and athletically challenging matches. With Arsenal and Inter Milan, we\u2019ll be facing the English and Italian champions. We\u2019ll show that we don\u2019t have to shy away from even the best teams in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><b>Niko Kovac:<\/b> \u201cExciting matches await us, and we\u2019ll take every opponent very seriously. We performed very well in London during our preseason preparations, and now we want to confirm that under competitive conditions. We\u2019re now eager to see how the games will be scheduled. I can assure you: We\u2019ll be ready for the opener.\u201d<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<p><b>Lars Ricken:<\/b> \u201cThese are exciting matches that we can look forward to. With Inter Milan, Villarreal CF, and Bodø/Glimt, we\u2019ll be facing three familiar opponents from last season, while at the same time, AEK Athens and Sabah FK \u2013 two teams we\u2019ve never played before \u2013 are waiting for us. That\u2019s certainly exciting, especially since we still have a score to settle with Inter and Bodø from last year. Our minimum goal is to reach the Round of 16 \u2013 ideally, we\u2019ll achieve that within these eight games.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"14-Stimmen-Ricken-1787851331982\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-stimmen/14-Stimmen-Ricken.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Ole Book:<\/b> \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to eight very interesting and athletically challenging matches. With Arsenal and Inter Milan, we\u2019ll be facing the English and Italian champions. We\u2019ll show that we don\u2019t have to shy away from even the best teams in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><b>Niko Kovac:<\/b> \u201cExciting matches await us, and we\u2019ll take every opponent very seriously. We performed very well in London during our preseason preparations, and now we want to confirm that under competitive conditions. We\u2019re now eager to see how the games will be scheduled. I can assure you: We\u2019ll be ready for the opener.\u201d<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-345c585281","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 to the draw: \u201cWe\u2019ll be ready for the opener\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-b14cd9ee33":{"dc:description":"<p>Runner-up Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan, Arsenal FC, Betis Sevilla, Aston Villa, Villarreal CF, Bodø/Glimt, AEK Athens, and Sabah FK in the group stage of the 2026\u201327 UEFA Champions League. Ticket presales for club members begin on Tuesday, September 1, at 12 p.m.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/Draw-BVBs-opponents-and-tickets-in-the-Champions-League.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Draw: BVB\u2019s opponents and tickets in the Champions League","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T16:30:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/27/Draw-BVBs-opponents-and-tickets-in-the-Champions-League.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-auslosung-1/16M-Fans-Auslosung1.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":"27.08.26 16:30 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>Runner-up Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan, Arsenal FC, Betis Sevilla, Aston Villa, Villarreal CF, Bodø/Glimt, AEK Athens, and Sabah FK in the group stage of the 2026\u201327 UEFA Champions League. Ticket presales for club members begin on Tuesday, September 1, at 12 p.m.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Runner-up Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan, Arsenal FC, Betis Sevilla, Aston Villa, Villarreal CF, Bodø/Glimt, AEK Athens, and Sabah FK in the group stage of the 2026\u201327 UEFA Champions League. Ticket presales for club members begin on Tuesday, September 1, at 12 p.m.","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":"<p>BVB was placed in Pot 2 during the draw held this Thursday evening in Monaco; the team will face three repeat matchups and has two challenging away trips ahead. BVB will play each of these eight opponents only once\u2014for a total of four home games and four away games.<\/p>\n<p>At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB will face Inter and Villarreal in their current home jerseys, just as they did last year, as well as Real Betis and AEK Athens. The away trips will take them to London (Arsenal), Birmingham (Aston Villa), northern Norway (Bodø/Glimt), and Baku in Azerbaijan (Sabah FK).<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"16-Fans-Auslosung1-1787849646397\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-auslosung-1/16-Fans-Auslosung1.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The match dates have not yet been set. UEFA plans to announce them by Saturday at the latest.<\/p>\n<p>Reactions to the draw, background on the format, and details about the opponents will follow later this evening. <b>Tickets for the first home game will be available starting September 1 (12:00) in the online ticket shop.<\/b> Advance sales will begin first for club members.<i> <br>\n Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<p>BVB was placed in Pot 2 during the draw held this Thursday evening in Monaco; the team will face three repeat matchups and has two challenging away trips ahead. BVB will play each of these eight opponents only once\u2014for a total of four home games and four away games.<\/p>\n<p>At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB will face Inter and Villarreal in their current home jerseys, just as they did last year, as well as Real Betis and AEK Athens. The away trips will take them to London (Arsenal), Birmingham (Aston Villa), northern Norway (Bodø/Glimt), and Baku in Azerbaijan (Sabah FK).<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"16-Fans-Auslosung1-1787849646397\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/ucl-auslosung-1/16-Fans-Auslosung1.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The match dates have not yet been set. UEFA plans to announce them by Saturday at the latest.<\/p>\n<p>Reactions to the draw, background on the format, and details about the opponents will follow later this evening. <b>Tickets for the first home game will be available starting September 1 (12:00) in the online ticket shop.<\/b> Advance sales will begin first for club members.<i> <br>\n 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":"Draw: BVB\u2019s opponents and tickets in the Champions League","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Tickets","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-4e754267a6":{"dc:description":"<p>Additional tickets are available for Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Bundesliga home game against SC Paderborn on Saturday, 12 September, at 3:30 p.m. The visiting club has not used its full allocation of tickets. As a result, additional Category 5 tickets for 50 euros and Category 6 tickets for 35 euros are available in Section 75.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/More-tickets-available-for-the-Paderborn-home-game.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"More tickets available for the Paderborn home game","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T14:00:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/27/More-tickets-available-for-the-Paderborn-home-game.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/tickets-paderborn/Ticket-News.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":"27.08.26 14:00 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>Additional tickets are available for Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Bundesliga home game against SC Paderborn on Saturday, 12 September, at 3:30 p.m. The visiting club has not used its full allocation of tickets. As a result, additional Category 5 tickets for 50 euros and Category 6 tickets for 35 euros are available in Section 75.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Additional tickets are available for Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Bundesliga home game against SC Paderborn on Saturday, 12 September, at 3:30 p.m. The visiting club has not used its full allocation of tickets. As a result, additional Category 5 tickets for 50 euros and Category 6 tickets for 35 euros are available in Section 75.","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":"<p>Tickets will be available in <a href=\"https://www.ticket-onlineshop.com/ols/bvb/en/profis/channel/shop/index?utm_source=bvben&amp;utm_medium=news&amp;utm_campaign=int_profi-tickets2627&amp;bvb_cid=int_profi-tickets2627\" target=\"_blank\">the online ticket shop<\/a> starting Thursday, 27 August, at 5 p.m. BVB fans can purchase up to six tickets each.<\/p>\n<p>Get your tickets now and cheer on BVB live at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK!<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<p>Tickets will be available in <a href=\"https://www.ticket-onlineshop.com/ols/bvb/en/profis/channel/shop/index?utm_source=bvben&amp;utm_medium=news&amp;utm_campaign=int_profi-tickets2627&amp;bvb_cid=int_profi-tickets2627\" target=\"_blank\">the online ticket shop<\/a> starting Thursday, 27 August, at 5 p.m. BVB fans can purchase up to six tickets each.<\/p>\n<p>Get your tickets now and cheer on BVB live at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK!<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-4e754267a6","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"More tickets available for the Paderborn home game","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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":"<p>/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-6a9c13e012":{"dc:description":"<p>On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will finally kick off the new Bundesliga season. On Matchday 1 of the 2026\u201327 season, BVB will host Hamburger SV at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK (6:30 p.m.). If head coach Niko Kovac has his way, the team will make a strong statement against HSV.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/Kovac-ahead-of-the-HSV-match-Three-points-are-essential.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Kovac ahead of the HSV match: \u201cThree points are essential!\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T11:46:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/27/Kovac-ahead-of-the-HSV-match-Three-points-are-essential.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/pk-vorbericht/kovac-veerman.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":"27.08.26 11:46 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will finally kick off the new Bundesliga season. On Matchday 1 of the 2026\u201327 season, BVB will host Hamburger SV at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK (6:30 p.m.). If head coach Niko Kovac has his way, the team will make a strong statement against HSV.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will finally kick off the new Bundesliga season. On Matchday 1 of the 2026\u201327 season, BVB will host Hamburger SV at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK (6:30 p.m.). If head coach Niko Kovac has his way, the team will make a strong statement against HSV.","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":"<h2><b>The scenario<\/b><br>\n<\/h2>\n<p>BVB has completed an intense and demanding preseason. Head coach Niko Kovac has only been training with a full squad for a few weeks, as players such as Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson, Ramy Bensebaini, and Marcel Sabitzer did not return from their World Cup break until later. In their last two friendly matches against Arsenal (3\u20132) and AS Roma (2\u20132), Borussia Dortmund showed strong performances across all areas of the team and demonstrated its great potential. This was also evident in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against FC Bayern Munich, even though the match against the double champions ended in a 1\u20132 loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kovac is determined to continue on the path his team has taken in the Bundesliga as well: \u201cWe had a very good team last season, and we have a good team again this year, with a lot of talent. I do believe the team has the quality to achieve our goals. Right now, we\u2019re still finding our footing a bit and don\u2019t quite know where we stand yet,\u201d said the 54-year-old, who summed up the final phase of preseason\u2014featuring matches against Arsenal, Roma, and Munich\u2014as \u201cgood on the whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><b>Squad<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>On Saturday, two long-term absentees\u2014Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle) and Emre Can (knee)\u2014will still be unavailable. Ramy Bensebaini was sidelined for a few days after suffering bruised ribs in the Super Cup match and has recently only been able to train individually. However, Niko Kovac did not want to rule out the defender\u2019s participation just yet and kept his options open: \u201cWe\u2019ll see tomorrow how things develop for the weekend. If Ramy isn\u2019t available, we\u2019ll find a good solution,\u201d the Dortmund coach said on Thursday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Kovac is emphatically satisfied with the squad situation so close to the first Bundesliga match: \u201cWe have a good squad and are covered at every position\u2014in some cases, even with three players. Everyone has to face this competitive situation. That\u2019s a good thing\u2014competition keeps things lively. If you don\u2019t have competition, you become complacent.\u201d With Kosta Karetsas, Giannis Konstantelias, Joane Gadou, and Joey Veerman, four new signings are set to make their Bundesliga debuts\u2014all of whom had already played their first competitive match for BVB in the Super Cup against Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"bensebaini-training-1787824524838\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/pk-vorbericht/bensebaini-training.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2><b>Opponent<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>After avoiding relegation as a promoted team in 2025/26, HSV has once again undergone a major shakeup. Prominent names like Luka Vuskovic, Fabio Vieira, Robert Glatzel, and Ransford Königsdörffer have left the Rothosen, and Jean-Luc Dompé is also likely to leave and is currently on leave. Consequently, head coach Merlin Polzin has had to rebuild the HSV roster. New signings like forward Patson Daka and midfielder Martin Adeline have already made an impact. Albert Grønbæk, who has since signed a permanent contract, has also been a major asset recently. The Dane scored two goals in HSV\u2019s 3-0 cup victory over SC Verl and had already found the net in three preseason friendlies. With Sebastiaan Bornauw, the team has also brought in a center back with Bundesliga experience to provide more stability in the back line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll certainly face a team that plays compactly and transitions well. They also have quality up front,\u201d Kovac warns about the visitors from the north. At the same time, he leaves no doubt about his expectations for the home game against HSV: \u201cWe want to apply pressure right away at home and win the game. We want to get off to a good start to the season, and for that we need three points. Three points are essential!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>A spectacular match is almost guaranteed<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For years, Borussia Dortmund versus Hamburger Sportverein was the highest-scoring matchup in Bundesliga history, before HSV was relegated from the top flight for seven years. Then this traditional rivalry lost its unique distinction to the BVB versus VfB Stuttgart matchup. After HSV\u2019s return to the Bundesliga, the rivalry picked up where it left off in 2017\u201318: Seven goals were scored in the 2025\u201326 season\u2019s home-and-away series. In the first match, BVB conceded a late 1\u20131 equalizer in stoppage time at the Volksparkstadion. At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in March of this year , the Black and Yellows came back from a 0\u20132 deficit to secure a 3\u20132 victory . A total of 370 goals have been scored in 104 Bundesliga matches between the two clubs\u2014an average of 3.6 per game. This matchup has never ended scoreless in Dortmund.<br>\n<i>Mats-Yannick Roth<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W--uXGWHneo\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">To the press conference<\/a><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<h2><b>The scenario<\/b><br>\n<\/h2>\n<p>BVB has completed an intense and demanding preseason. Head coach Niko Kovac has only been training with a full squad for a few weeks, as players such as Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson, Ramy Bensebaini, and Marcel Sabitzer did not return from their World Cup break until later. In their last two friendly matches against Arsenal (3\u20132) and AS Roma (2\u20132), Borussia Dortmund showed strong performances across all areas of the team and demonstrated its great potential. This was also evident in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against FC Bayern Munich, even though the match against the double champions ended in a 1\u20132 loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kovac is determined to continue on the path his team has taken in the Bundesliga as well: \u201cWe had a very good team last season, and we have a good team again this year, with a lot of talent. I do believe the team has the quality to achieve our goals. Right now, we\u2019re still finding our footing a bit and don\u2019t quite know where we stand yet,\u201d said the 54-year-old, who summed up the final phase of preseason\u2014featuring matches against Arsenal, Roma, and Munich\u2014as \u201cgood on the whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><b>Squad<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>On Saturday, two long-term absentees\u2014Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle) and Emre Can (knee)\u2014will still be unavailable. Ramy Bensebaini was sidelined for a few days after suffering bruised ribs in the Super Cup match and has recently only been able to train individually. However, Niko Kovac did not want to rule out the defender\u2019s participation just yet and kept his options open: \u201cWe\u2019ll see tomorrow how things develop for the weekend. If Ramy isn\u2019t available, we\u2019ll find a good solution,\u201d the Dortmund coach said on Thursday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Kovac is emphatically satisfied with the squad situation so close to the first Bundesliga match: \u201cWe have a good squad and are covered at every position\u2014in some cases, even with three players. Everyone has to face this competitive situation. That\u2019s a good thing\u2014competition keeps things lively. If you don\u2019t have competition, you become complacent.\u201d With Kosta Karetsas, Giannis Konstantelias, Joane Gadou, and Joey Veerman, four new signings are set to make their Bundesliga debuts\u2014all of whom had already played their first competitive match for BVB in the Super Cup against Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"bensebaini-training-1787824524838\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/pk-vorbericht/bensebaini-training.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2><b>Opponent<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>After avoiding relegation as a promoted team in 2025/26, HSV has once again undergone a major shakeup. Prominent names like Luka Vuskovic, Fabio Vieira, Robert Glatzel, and Ransford Königsdörffer have left the Rothosen, and Jean-Luc Dompé is also likely to leave and is currently on leave. Consequently, head coach Merlin Polzin has had to rebuild the HSV roster. New signings like forward Patson Daka and midfielder Martin Adeline have already made an impact. Albert Grønbæk, who has since signed a permanent contract, has also been a major asset recently. The Dane scored two goals in HSV\u2019s 3-0 cup victory over SC Verl and had already found the net in three preseason friendlies. With Sebastiaan Bornauw, the team has also brought in a center back with Bundesliga experience to provide more stability in the back line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll certainly face a team that plays compactly and transitions well. They also have quality up front,\u201d Kovac warns about the visitors from the north. At the same time, he leaves no doubt about his expectations for the home game against HSV: \u201cWe want to apply pressure right away at home and win the game. We want to get off to a good start to the season, and for that we need three points. Three points are essential!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>A spectacular match is almost guaranteed<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For years, Borussia Dortmund versus Hamburger Sportverein was the highest-scoring matchup in Bundesliga history, before HSV was relegated from the top flight for seven years. Then this traditional rivalry lost its unique distinction to the BVB versus VfB Stuttgart matchup. After HSV\u2019s return to the Bundesliga, the rivalry picked up where it left off in 2017\u201318: Seven goals were scored in the 2025\u201326 season\u2019s home-and-away series. In the first match, BVB conceded a late 1\u20131 equalizer in stoppage time at the Volksparkstadion. At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in March of this year , the Black and Yellows came back from a 0\u20132 deficit to secure a 3\u20132 victory . A total of 370 goals have been scored in 104 Bundesliga matches between the two clubs\u2014an average of 3.6 per game. This matchup has never ended scoreless in Dortmund.<br>\n<i>Mats-Yannick Roth<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W--uXGWHneo\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">To the press conference<\/a><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-6a9c13e012","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Kovac ahead of the HSV match: \u201cThree points are essential!\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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":"<p>/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-3304a94386":{"dc:description":"<p>For the Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.), head coach Niko Kovac will have nearly his entire squad at his disposal. Only the two long-term injured players, Emre Can (knee) and Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle), are definitely out. However, there are still a few question marks regarding the lineup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/27/Heres-how-Kovac-is-planning-his-lineup-for-the-Bundesliga-opener.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Here\u2019s how Kovac is planning his lineup for the Bundesliga opener ","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-27T10:12:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/27/Heres-how-Kovac-is-planning-his-lineup-for-the-Bundesliga-opener.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/27/pk-personal/kovac.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":"27.08.26 10:12 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>For the Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.), head coach Niko Kovac will have nearly his entire squad at his disposal. Only the two long-term injured players, Emre Can (knee) and Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle), are definitely out. However, there are still a few question marks regarding the lineup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"For the Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.), head coach Niko Kovac will have nearly his entire squad at his disposal. Only the two long-term injured players, Emre Can (knee) and Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle), are definitely out. However, there are still a few question marks regarding the lineup.","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":"<p>\u201cWe have everyone on board who can be on board,\u201d said BVB head coach Niko Kovac at the press conference ahead of the HSV game, expressing initial satisfaction with the team\u2019s roster situation.<\/p>\n<p>Carney Chukwuemeka, who had to sit out repeatedly during preseason due to a knee injury, completed the entire week of training. The biggest concerns currently revolve around Ramy Bensebaini, who suffered a bruised rib in the Super Cup against FC Bayern Munich and has not yet been able to train fully.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe only ran today, and we\u2019ll see tomorrow how things develop for the weekend,\u201d Kovac reported on the Algerian defender\u2019s current status. The Dortmund coach, however, said he was prepared for any scenario: \u201cIf Ramy isn\u2019t available, we\u2019ll find a good solution.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Kovac: \u201cWe\u2019re spoiled for choice\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s also still unclear whether summer signing Justin Lerma will be fit to play on Saturday. The 18-year-old came off injured on Wednesday during the BVB youth team\u2019s 4-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League International Cup. \u201cWe assume it\u2019s a muscle issue,\u201d Kovac said, noting that Lerma would undergo further examinations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One thing is certain for the BVB coach ahead of the first Bundesliga home game: \u201cEvery single player on the roster naturally has the opportunity to play. We have many healthy and very good players on the roster. So we\u2019ll once again be spoiled for choice and hopefully make the right decisions to win Saturday\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<p>\u201cWe have everyone on board who can be on board,\u201d said BVB head coach Niko Kovac at the press conference ahead of the HSV game, expressing initial satisfaction with the team\u2019s roster situation.<\/p>\n<p>Carney Chukwuemeka, who had to sit out repeatedly during preseason due to a knee injury, completed the entire week of training. The biggest concerns currently revolve around Ramy Bensebaini, who suffered a bruised rib in the Super Cup against FC Bayern Munich and has not yet been able to train fully.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe only ran today, and we\u2019ll see tomorrow how things develop for the weekend,\u201d Kovac reported on the Algerian defender\u2019s current status. The Dortmund coach, however, said he was prepared for any scenario: \u201cIf Ramy isn\u2019t available, we\u2019ll find a good solution.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Kovac: \u201cWe\u2019re spoiled for choice\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s also still unclear whether summer signing Justin Lerma will be fit to play on Saturday. The 18-year-old came off injured on Wednesday during the BVB youth team\u2019s 4-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League International Cup. \u201cWe assume it\u2019s a muscle issue,\u201d Kovac said, noting that Lerma would undergo further examinations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One thing is certain for the BVB coach ahead of the first Bundesliga home game: \u201cEvery single player on the roster naturally has the opportunity to play. We have many healthy and very good players on the roster. So we\u2019ll once again be spoiled for choice and hopefully make the right decisions to win Saturday\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-3304a94386","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Here\u2019s how Kovac is planning his lineup for the Bundesliga opener ","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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":"<p>/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2026_2027/22/2653180_1_borussiadortmund-hamburgersv","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"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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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Youth Football","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-4313265134":{"dc:description":"<p>Arriving as defending champions, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s youth team faced FC Fulham on Wednesday evening in the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League International Cup (PLIC), all of whose matches are taking place in England. A thrilling match unfolded at the Motspur Park training center against the U21 team of the London neighborhood club, with Borussia Dortmund\u2019s young squad earning a well-deserved 4-1 victory.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/26/BVB-celebrates-dream-start-in-the-PLIC.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"BVB celebrates dream start in the PLIC","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-26T20:36:00Z"}},"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/2026/8/26/BVB-celebrates-dream-start-in-the-PLIC.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/26/plic-spielbericht/PLIC-1.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":"26.08.26 20:36 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"<p>Arriving as defending champions, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s youth team faced FC Fulham on Wednesday evening in the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League International Cup (PLIC), all of whose matches are taking place in England. A thrilling match unfolded at the Motspur Park training center against the U21 team of the London neighborhood club, with Borussia Dortmund\u2019s young squad earning a well-deserved 4-1 victory.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Arriving as defending champions, Borussia Dortmund\u2019s youth team faced FC Fulham on Wednesday evening in the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League International Cup (PLIC), all of whose matches are taking place in England. A thrilling match unfolded at the Motspur Park training center against the U21 team of the London neighborhood club, with Borussia Dortmund\u2019s young squad earning a well-deserved 4-1 victory.","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":"<h2><b>Roster<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For the match against FC Fulham\u2019s youth team, coach Daniel Rios fielded a squad consisting primarily of U23 players. Luke Fahrenhorst and Jan-Luca Riedl from the U19 team had traveled to London with the team. Mathis Albert, Kaua Prates, Luca Reggiani, and Justin Lerma\u2014a quartet with professional experience\u2014also joined the team. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Match Summary<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Just four minutes into the game, the Borussians were already posing a threat in front of the home team\u2019s goal. However, the first early goal of the match would come immediately afterward at the other end of the field. Following a Fulham corner that found striker Jose Sani\u2019s head at the near post, Silas Ostrzinski was forced to make his first save (5th minute). After this wake-up call, however, BVB increasingly took control of the game, though they initially struggled to break down the deep-lying home team in their build-up play.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"PLIC3-1787777341462\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/26/plic-spielbericht/PLIC3.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The tone of the match was now set. While Fulham found it increasingly difficult to penetrate the danger zone, the BVB youth team fared better: Fadi Zarqelain converted a fine long pass from Mathis Albert in the 25th minute to score the well-deserved equalizer. Just 180 seconds later, it was the lively Albert himself who, after a misplaced pass by the English side, gratefully collected the ball and placed it neatly into the opponent\u2019s net from about 17 meters out. The visitors headed into the locker room with a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n<p>In the second half, the pattern remained the same: Daniel Rios\u2019s team immediately pressed for a third goal, which didn\u2019t take long to arrive. Jesper Verlaat headed a corner kick from Takato Yamamoto successfully over the line (52nd minute). Five minutes later, with no assistance\u2014thanks to a brilliant solo effort\u2014it was Justin Lerma who scored the game-sealing 4\u20131 goal for the Black and Yellow team before having to leave the field injured.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"plic-5-1787777354860\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/26/plic-spielbericht/plic-5.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Right up until the final minutes, the defending champions created further scoring chances through captain Azhil (82'), Degener (90'+1), and Ngambia (90'+5); in the meantime, Ostrzinski confidently thwarted a Fulham chance. Thanks to this mature performance after falling behind early, Borussians\u2019 youth team can celebrate their first three points in the Premier League International Cup!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Quotes<\/h2>\n<p><b>Daniel Rios (Head Coach): <\/b>\u201cOverall, this was a well-deserved victory for us, especially since the team reacted well after falling behind early and turned the game around. We controlled the match for 90 minutes and created many scoring opportunities. I\u2019m pleased that we delivered such a great performance against Fulham with this lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><b>Outlook<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Borussia Dortmund\u2019s U19 team will face Rot-Weiss Essen on September 5 as part of the DFB Youth Round (11 a.m., training facility in Brackel). The U23s have an away game against VfB Hilden in the Regionalliga West this coming Saturday (August 29, 2 p.m.). In the Premier League International Cup, BVB\u2019s youth teams won\u2019t play again until December 15, when they\u2019ll face Aston Villa as their second opponent in the group stage.<\/p>\n<p><b>BVB Youth:<\/b> Ostrzinski \u2013 Verlaat (58\u2019 Fahrenhorst), Azhil, Wüstenhagen (63\u2019 Krempicki), Riedl, Zarqelain (74\u2019 Ngambia), Lerma (63\u2019 Degener), Albert (74\u2019 Wessels), Prates, Yamamoto, Reggiani<\/p>\n<p><b>Goals:<\/b> 1-0 Sani (5'), 1-1 Zarqelain (25'), 1-2 Albert (28'), 1-3 Verlaat (52'), 1-4 Lerma (57')<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<h2><b>Roster<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>For the match against FC Fulham\u2019s youth team, coach Daniel Rios fielded a squad consisting primarily of U23 players. Luke Fahrenhorst and Jan-Luca Riedl from the U19 team had traveled to London with the team. Mathis Albert, Kaua Prates, Luca Reggiani, and Justin Lerma\u2014a quartet with professional experience\u2014also joined the team. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Match Summary<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Just four minutes into the game, the Borussians were already posing a threat in front of the home team\u2019s goal. However, the first early goal of the match would come immediately afterward at the other end of the field. Following a Fulham corner that found striker Jose Sani\u2019s head at the near post, Silas Ostrzinski was forced to make his first save (5th minute). After this wake-up call, however, BVB increasingly took control of the game, though they initially struggled to break down the deep-lying home team in their build-up play.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"PLIC3-1787777341462\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/26/plic-spielbericht/PLIC3.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The tone of the match was now set. While Fulham found it increasingly difficult to penetrate the danger zone, the BVB youth team fared better: Fadi Zarqelain converted a fine long pass from Mathis Albert in the 25th minute to score the well-deserved equalizer. Just 180 seconds later, it was the lively Albert himself who, after a misplaced pass by the English side, gratefully collected the ball and placed it neatly into the opponent\u2019s net from about 17 meters out. The visitors headed into the locker room with a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n<p>In the second half, the pattern remained the same: Daniel Rios\u2019s team immediately pressed for a third goal, which didn\u2019t take long to arrive. Jesper Verlaat headed a corner kick from Takato Yamamoto successfully over the line (52nd minute). Five minutes later, with no assistance\u2014thanks to a brilliant solo effort\u2014it was Justin Lerma who scored the game-sealing 4\u20131 goal for the Black and Yellow team before having to leave the field injured.<\/p>\n<p><img data-assetref=\"plic-5-1787777354860\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/26/plic-spielbericht/plic-5.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Right up until the final minutes, the defending champions created further scoring chances through captain Azhil (82'), Degener (90'+1), and Ngambia (90'+5); in the meantime, Ostrzinski confidently thwarted a Fulham chance. Thanks to this mature performance after falling behind early, Borussians\u2019 youth team can celebrate their first three points in the Premier League International Cup!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Quotes<\/h2>\n<p><b>Daniel Rios (Head Coach): <\/b>\u201cOverall, this was a well-deserved victory for us, especially since the team reacted well after falling behind early and turned the game around. We controlled the match for 90 minutes and created many scoring opportunities. I\u2019m pleased that we delivered such a great performance against Fulham with this lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><b>Outlook<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Borussia Dortmund\u2019s U19 team will face Rot-Weiss Essen on September 5 as part of the DFB Youth Round (11 a.m., training facility in Brackel). The U23s have an away game against VfB Hilden in the Regionalliga West this coming Saturday (August 29, 2 p.m.). In the Premier League International Cup, BVB\u2019s youth teams won\u2019t play again until December 15, when they\u2019ll face Aston Villa as their second opponent in the group stage.<\/p>\n<p><b>BVB Youth:<\/b> Ostrzinski \u2013 Verlaat (58\u2019 Fahrenhorst), Azhil, Wüstenhagen (63\u2019 Krempicki), Riedl, Zarqelain (74\u2019 Ngambia), Lerma (63\u2019 Degener), Albert (74\u2019 Wessels), Prates, Yamamoto, Reggiani<\/p>\n<p><b>Goals:<\/b> 1-0 Sani (5'), 1-1 Zarqelain (25'), 1-2 Albert (28'), 1-3 Verlaat (52'), 1-4 Lerma (57')<\/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":"BVB celebrates dream start in the PLIC","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"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,"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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