Dortmund Is Urged Not to Get Carried Away Against Struggling’s Villarreal
Borussia Dortmund will begin their 2026/27 Champions League campaign by hosting Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday, September 9, with Niko Kovac warning his players not to underestimate the Spanish side despite their difficult start to the domestic season.
Villarreal have endured a disappointing opening to their La Liga campaign, failing to win any of their first four matches. The Yellow Submarine have collected just two points and currently sit 17th in the standings, leaving them in desperate need of a positive result in Europe.
Dortmund, by contrast, head into the fixture with considerably more momentum. The Bundesliga side have won their last two league matches and also progressed in the DFB-Pokal, giving Kovac’s team confidence ahead of their first Champions League test. That difference in form, however, has not convinced Kovac that Dortmund can afford to relax.
The Croatian coach has reminded his players that Villarreal finished third in La Liga last season and secured Champions League qualification for a second consecutive campaign. He believes their recent domestic struggles should not obscure the quality within the squad.
“Last season, they finished third and qualified for the Champions League for two consecutive years. Normally, the three places in Spain are already taken. If you can break into that group, it shows there is something there,” Kovac said, as quoted by Goal International.
Kovac has also highlighted Villarreal’s tactical identity. Despite the club changing managers, their commitment to possession-based football has reportedly remained intact.
That is something Dortmund must be prepared to counter. Allowing Villarreal to dominate possession could make it difficult for Dortmund to establish their own rhythm, particularly if the visitors are able to control the tempo and force Kovac’s side to spend long periods defending.
Dortmund will therefore need to be aggressive without the ball while remaining composed in possession. Pressing at the right moments could be crucial to preventing Villarreal from building attacks through the midfield.
The hosts may also be forced into changes at the back following an injury to Filippo Mané during the weekend victory over Hoffenheim. Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can are also reportedly dealing with injuries, further reducing Kovac’s available options.
There is some positive news, however, with Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas both expected to be available for the Champions League opener.
For Dortmund, the objective is straightforward: build on their strong domestic start and begin their European campaign with three points. Villarreal, meanwhile, will be looking to put their poor La Liga form behind them and rediscover the qualities that took them into the top three last season.
The hosts may enter the match as favourites, but Kovac’s warning reflects the danger of judging Villarreal solely on their recent results. Their experience in European competition and possession-oriented style could make them a challenging opponent at Signal Iduna Park. A disciplined Dortmund performance will therefore be essential if the Bundesliga side are to avoid an early Champions League setback.
