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As Borussia Dortmund embark on another UEFA Champions League journey, the stakes are high for the club that reached the final last season. This year's tournament introduces a new format, adding an extra layer of complexity to Dortmund's path.
With eight different opponents drawn from across Europe only in the first round and potentially another in a play-off, Dortmund faces a challenging yet intriguing campaign. Can last season’s finalists navigate this new terrain and reach the knockout stages once again?
Dortmund and The UCL:
Borussia Dortmund have a storied history in the UEFA Champions League, including a memorable victory in the 1996/97 season. More recently, the club has experienced mixed results, with highs such as last season’s run to the final and lows like group-stage exits in 2017/18 and 2021/22.
Over the past decade, Dortmund has reached the quarter-finals three times and progressed to the Round of 16 five times. Despite their fluctuations, Dortmund has consistently been a force in Europe, relying on their attacking prowess and passionate fan base.
Dortmund's UCL Stars:
Key players have defined Dortmund’s UCL campaigns over the years. Marco Reus, the club's talisman, leads the pack with 72 UCL appearances and 24 goals, making him Dortmund’s top scorer in the competition. He is followed by Robert Lewandowski with 17 goals and Erling Haaland and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, both with 15 goals.
Mats Hummels, another veteran, has 66 appearances, showcasing his experience in European football. These players have been instrumental in shaping Dortmund’s UCL identity, combining skill, leadership, and consistency on the biggest stage.
Dortmund's Crazy Games:
This season, the Champions League has shifted to a new format, transitioning from traditional groups to a ‘League Phase.’ Dortmund will play eight different opponents, one match against each. Drawn against European giants Barcelona and Real Madrid from Pot 1, Dortmund will host Barcelona and travel to Madrid.
Pot 2 draws pit them against Shakhtar Donetsk at home and Club Brugge away. From Pot 3, they will face Celtic at home and travel to Zagreb, while Pot 4 fixtures include a home game against Sturm Graz and an away tie with FC Bologna.
The diversity of this schedule means Dortmund will face a mix of elite, mid-tier, and lower-ranked teams. Hosting Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk offers opportunities to capitalize on home advantage, while away trips to Real Madrid and other challenging venues test their resilience.
Dortmund’s performances across these fixtures will determine their place in the standings, with the top 8 advancing directly to the Round of 16. Teams finishing 9th to 24th will enter a ‘play-in’ round, underlining the importance of securing points in every match.
Likelihood of Progression:
The revamped format increases the chances of progression, with 24 of 36 teams moving into the knockout phase. However, Dortmund’s draw presents both opportunities and challenges.
Securing points at home against Barcelona and Celtic is crucial, as is winning against lower-ranked teams like Sturm Graz. Away fixtures at Real Madrid, current champions, and Zagreb are potential stumbling blocks.
Dortmund's ability to adapt to different styles of play and maintain consistency will be key to avoiding the pitfalls of a play-off round just to secure qualification to the next round as it would mean they are part of the first eight teams on the league table.
What History Predicts for Dortmund:
Historically, Dortmund have excelled in the next season’s UEFA Champions League after reaching the finals of the previous one just as they did in the 2023/2024 season.
Dortmund made the finals of the UCL in 96/97 and 12/13 and during both times, the Black and Yellows managed to make the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively. This should be a reason for their fans to be hopeful of an impressive showing in this new format.
Conclusion:
Dortmund's UEFA Champions League campaign is poised on a knife edge. The new league-style format, with its varied opponents, demands adaptability and resilience.
Dortmund’s team has lost some of its most seasoned stars, in Reus and Hummels, along with the man manager who took them to the final last season, Edin Terzic, and without these core personalities, the German club will need new leaders and heroes.
While the road to the final is fraught with challenges, Dortmund’s rich history and attacking flair give them the tools to not just survive but potentially thrive in this new UCL landscape led by their young stars and a former player in Nurin Sahin.
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