First match against Bodø – BVB want another home win | OneFootball

The scenarioBorussia Dortmund currently hold sixth place in the Champions League table and have recorded three wins so far: at home against Athletic Club and FC Villarreal, and away against FC Kopenhagen. In addition, there were a draw at Juventus and a defeat at Manchester City. Last Sunday, the Black&Yellows beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga with 2-0. Both Hoffenheim and  Bodø play a similar style of football. BVB coach Niko Kovac said his team “did very well” at the weekend. “We are able to push ourselves to the limit and beyond. We are aware of course of their running abilities. I believe we are absolutely on parr there.” Julian Brandt explains: “As always, we are highly motivated for this game. It's the Champions League. We look forward to every match, especially the ones we play at home.”

Personnel mattersAll BVB players are fit to play. Niklas Süle returned to training last week after his toe injury. “When you have everyone on board, you have plenty of options and lots of competition for the various positions. That's why we will be looking tonight at what is the best line-up for tomorrow,” said Niko Kovac. “We want to win this game and whoever plays will want to give it their all.”

The oppositionThe national league of Norway is currently suspended: the Eliteserie ended late November with Viking Stavanger as champion. Defending champion FK Bodø/Glimt ended the season in second place, securing their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27. In their current Champions League campaign, the Norwegians are in 32nd place. With two draws (against Prague and Tottenham) and three defeats (Galatasaray, Monaco and Juventus), the Scandinavians are still without a win (to the facts). “They don't play Champions League football every year, but they did win the national league twice in a row and have missed out on this one by only one point,” said Kovac. “We have watched their games and from our perspective they have very few points but have always been very close. They had a close game against Juventus, they had a close game against Monaco. We will be facing an opponent who, although their season has already ended, are still very eager. And their aim is definitely not to leave empty handed here.”

Marco ReusAfter leaving in the summer of 2024, Marco Reus returns to SIGNAL IDUNA PARK for the first time. He will be working as one of the experts for DAZN, analysing the performance of his former colleagues before and after the match for the streaming service. Reus transferred to Los Angeles Galaxy in the American Major League Soccer last year. With the US season already over, the former captain has time for a visit to his former home ground and his first stint as a TV pundit.Christina Reinke