Borussia Dortmund Hosts Villarreal in Must-Win Champions League Clash

Dortmund, Germany – Borussia Dortmund will aim to recover from their recent UEFA Champions League defeat to Manchester City as they host Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday at 9 p.m. CET.

The home team will feature newly adjusted lineups, including goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and captain Nico Schlotterbeck, alongside players like Yan Couto and Karim Adeyemi. Villarreal will bring their own alterations with key players like Júnior and Juan Foyth stepping up to the starting XI.

In their last match, Dortmund fell 4-1 to Manchester City, marking a challenging period for the squad, which has struggled to secure wins, putting pressure on them in the group stage of the tournament. They currently sit 14th in the group standings.

Club captain Emre Can emphasized the need for focus, saying, “We just need to be more focused in the last minutes, to be present. We all want to win these games, that’s not in question.”

Meanwhile, Villarreal looks to find their form after struggling in the Champions League, seeking their first victory after losses to Tottenham, Manchester City, and Pafos, with a recent draw against Juventus.

Both managers will look to rectify recent performances, with Dortmund making five changes to their lineup and Villarreal bringing on seven new players. Kovač urged his team to take a strong approach after their defeat to City.

“We know Dortmund are dangerous in attack,” Villarreal coach Marcelino said. “But we know we can hurt them. We must defend well, attack with poise, and be penetrative and aggressive in the final third.”

As the match approaches, anticipation builds for what both teams consider a critical encounter in the fight for Champions League advancement.