Overview
Coach Niko Kovac's Dortmund is in good form and will aim for a victory in the opening match of this season's Champions League.
After a 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup, the yellow and black team won 3 consecutive matches. Including a 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
A favorable start helps Dortmund have more motivation before returning to the European arena. Last season, they had to play in the Champions League play-offs and are aiming for better results in this year's campaign.
Villarreal is also a familiar opponent for Dortmund. The two teams met last season, when Dortmund won 4-0 in November 2025. 6 of the 11 starting players in that match are likely to continue to appear in Dortmund's squad this time.
Signal Iduna Park is also the mainstay of the German team. Dortmund has won 3 of their last 4 official home matches, scored 10 goals and kept 2 clean sheets.
Meanwhile, Villarreal is experiencing a difficult start under new coach Inigo Perez. He was appointed to replace Marcelino in the summer and has not been able to help the team win after the first 4 matches of the season.
Villarreal started with 2 draws in a row, before conceding 2 recent defeats. In the recent match, Perez's team lost to Deportivo La Coruna 2-3 in La Liga despite quickly taking the lead thanks to a goal by Nicolas Pepe in the 19th minute.
This result makes the away trip to Dortmund even more difficult. Villarreal is assessed to face the biggest challenge since the beginning of the season, while Dortmund is maintaining stable form.
The Champions League schedule also does not favor Villarreal. After Dortmund, they also have to face Napoli, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Therefore, if they continue to be empty-handed at Signal Iduna Park, the opportunity to improve their position compared to the group stage last season will become much more difficult.
Personnel situation
Dortmund will face a personnel problem in defense in the opening match of the Champions League.
Ramy Bensebaini is absent due to suspension, Nico Schlotterbeck has just suffered an ankle injury and is suspended, and Emre Can is being treated for a anterior cruciate ligament injury. Filippo Mane's ability to play has also not been determined due to muscle problems.
In that context, Niko Kovac may use a 3-man defense including Joane Gadou, Waldemar Anton and Daniel Svensson. Julian Ryerson and Maximilian Beier are likely to take on the role of full-backs.
On Villarreal's side, center-back Juan Foyth is the most significant absence due to a muscle injury. However, coach Inigo Perez said that the 28-year-old defender is recovering well and will not have to be out of action for a long time.
During Foyth's treatment, Logan Costa and Renato Veiga may be placed in the center of the defense. Santiago Mourino and Carlos Romero are likely to take on two positions on the wing.
Expected lineup:
Kobel, Gadou, Anton, Svensson, Ryerson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Beier, Karetsas, Sabitzer, Guirassy.
Villarreal: Junior, Mourino, Costa, Veiga, Romero, Pepe, Gueye, Comesana, Buchanan, Mikautadze, Moreno.
The match between Dortmund and Villarreal takes place at 2:00 AM on September 9 (Vietnam time).
