Sports · Football · 10 hrs ago
Dortmund seek response against Champions League debutants Sabah
Borussia Dortmund face Sabah FC in Baku in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Dortmund have gone three games without a win, drawing twice and losing once, and have failed to score in their last two matches.
They have three points from their first two Champions League games and sit 18th in the league-phase table.
Sabah are Azerbaijani champions making their Champions League debut, and recently beat Slavia Prague 2-0.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovac rejects talk of a crisis but says his team must attack faster, finish more often and be more accurate.
Kovac expects Dortmund to turn things around against Sabah, while Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas says his side is preparing for a difficult match.
Niko Kovac rejected talk of a crisis at Borussia Dortmund ahead of their Champions League match against Sabah FC in Baku.
Dortmund had gone three matches without a win since the international break, including a 1-0 loss to Bodo/Glimt and a goalless draw with Union Berlin.
Kovac said his team needed to score and execute its attacking moves faster and more accurately.
Dortmund were 18th in the Champions League league-phase table with three points from two matches.
Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas warned that Dortmund’s recent failure to score could make them more determined.
- Who
- Borussia Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac, face Sabah FC, coached by Valdas Dambrauskas.
- What
- The teams are set to play Dortmund’s third Champions League league-phase match.
- When
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Why
- Dortmund are seeking a win and a response after three matches without a victory.
Borussia Dortmund
Sabah FC
Recent form
Borussia Dortmund
Kovac said Dortmund’s results were disappointing but rejected the idea that the club was in crisis.
Sabah FC
Dambrauskas said Dortmund’s failure to score in their last two matches would make them more determined.
Match approach
Borussia Dortmund
Kovac said Dortmund needed to play faster, be more accurate and finish more often.
Sabah FC
Dambrauskas said Sabah needed a very good performance and expected a difficult challenge.
Dortmund began a run of three matches without a win.
Werder Bremen came back to draw 2-2 with Dortmund.
Bodo/Glimt beat Dortmund 1-0 in the Champions League.
Union Berlin held Dortmund to a goalless draw.
Dortmund were scheduled to face Sabah FC in Baku for their third Champions League league-phase match.
- Dortmund’s Champions League position
- 18th, with three points from two matches
- Upcoming match
- Dortmund vs Sabah FC
- Venue
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Recent result
- Bodo/Glimt beat Dortmund 1-0
- Dortmund’s league position
- Second in the Bundesliga, level on points with Bayern Munich
3 sources
What people are saying
If we want to win, we have to score. We have to execute those patterns.
We’re second, level on points with Bayern. I can put that into perspective.
Dortmund have not scored in their last two matches, but that means they will be even more determined.
I study the whole team carefully, and focus more closely on the players I am likely to face.