Borussia Dortmund vs. Augsburg | Bundesliga | Pre Match
Borussia Dortmund vs. Augsburg
Borussia Dortmund’s determined late-season surge to secure a spot in European football continues this Saturday, March 8, 2025, as they welcome Augsburg to the electrifying Signal Iduna Park for a crucial Bundesliga showdown. Dortmund, under the stewardship of Niko Kovac, have clawed their way to 10th place in the standings with 35 points, following a disciplined 2-0 victory over St Pauli on March 1. This result has given them a slender three-point cushion over 11th-placed Augsburg, who arrive with 32 points, while only seven points separate Dortmund from the lofty heights of third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt—a gap that keeps their European aspirations tantalizingly within reach. Against St Pauli, Dortmund showcased their growing resilience, completely neutralizing their opponents’ attack by preventing any big chances while generating four of their own in a display of dominance. This win marked their second consecutive clean sheet in the Bundesliga, a testament to an improving backline that has conceded just once across their last four matches in all competitions. However, their midweek Champions League outing—a 1-1 draw with Lille on Tuesday—left a bittersweet taste, as a timid second-half approach saw them retreat defensively, only to squander a one-goal lead. For Dortmund fans, this inconsistency remains a source of frustration, yet the team’s recent form suggests they are building momentum at a critical juncture in the season.
Dortmund’s attacking output this term has been a mixed bag, with the team on pace to score 64 goals in the Bundesliga—a figure that, if realized, would match their joint-lowest tally since the 2014-15 campaign, when they finished a disappointing seventh. Despite this, Kovac’s side have shown signs of stability, remaining unbeaten in their last four fixtures across all competitions, securing two wins and two draws. Over a broader stretch of their past 10 matches, they have lost just twice, triumphing in five, which points to a squad finding its footing as the season progresses. Yet, a glaring weakness threatens to undermine their ambitions: their form at Signal Iduna Park has been woefully inconsistent. The once-impregnable fortress has yielded only two wins in Dortmund’s last 10 home outings, with five draws and three defeats exposing a vulnerability that Augsburg will be eager to exploit. This poor home record stands in stark contrast to their defensive solidity of late, and Kovac will be acutely aware that turning draws into victories on home soil is essential if Dortmund are to climb the table. The St Pauli match offered a blueprint—control, composure, and clinical finishing—but replicating that performance against a dogged Augsburg side will require focus and intensity from the opening whistle.
Augsburg, led by head coach Jess Thorup, arrive in Dortmund buoyed by a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Champions League hopefuls Freiburg on March 2. That result was a testament to their resilience, as they arguably deserved more than a point, having created nearly 1.5 expected goals (xG), struck the post in the 93rd minute, and restricted Freiburg to just two shots inside the penalty area. However, Augsburg’s attacking woes are impossible to ignore: they have failed to find the net in four of their last five matches across all competitions, though they did manage three clean sheets in that span, highlighting a defensive stubbornness that has kept them competitive. Their season tally of 27 goals is the joint fourth-worst in the Bundesliga, a statistic that underscores their struggle to convert chances into points. Yet, Augsburg hold a psychological edge heading into this clash, having stunned Dortmund 2-1 in the reverse fixture on October 26. In that match, they overcame a first-minute deficit despite possessing just 24% of the ball, a result that showcased their ability to defy the odds against stronger opposition. Thorup will hope to channel that spirit once more, though Augsburg’s recent form—unbeaten in four with one win and three draws—has been steady rather than spectacular, particularly as all four games came against top-eight sides.
On the road, Augsburg have proven surprisingly difficult to beat, losing just once in their last five Bundesliga away matches, with two draws and three victories. This resilience away from home contrasts sharply with Dortmund’s home struggles, setting the stage for a contest that could hinge on fine margins. For Dortmund, the St Pauli victory highlighted their capacity to dominate lesser opponents, but the Lille draw exposed a fragility that Augsburg might exploit if Kovac’s men fail to maintain their intensity. Dortmund’s projected 64-goal haul may underwhelm historically, but their defensive improvement—conceding sparingly in recent weeks—offers hope that they can grind out results even when their attack falters. Augsburg, meanwhile, will lean on their defensive organization and counterattacking threat, as demonstrated against Freiburg, though their inability to score consistently could prove their undoing against a Dortmund side desperate to capitalize on home advantage. The October defeat will linger in Dortmund’s memory, adding an extra layer of motivation to right that wrong and keep their European dreams alive.
Injury concerns will shape both teams’ lineups, with Dortmund facing a significant blow in the absence of full-back Daniel Svensson, sidelined until at least May due to ligament damage. His unavailability is likely to see Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini flanking a central defensive pairing of Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck, a backline that will need to be vigilant against Augsburg’s sporadic but dangerous forays forward. In midfield, Felix Nmecha’s absence until mid-March paves the way for Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross to hold the fort, bringing experience and tenacity to the engine room. Up top, Serhou Guirassy is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by the pace and flair of wingers Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, a trio capable of unlocking even the stingiest defenses. Augsburg, meanwhile, are grappling with a raft of absences in defense, with Henri Koudossou, Robert Gumny, and Mads Valentin Pedersen all ruled out. This depleted backline will likely feature Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Cedric Zesiger, tasked with containing Dortmund’s attacking threats. In midfield, Kristijan Jakic and Yusuf Kabadayi are also unavailable, meaning Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka could form a double pivot to provide stability. Up front, Phillip Tietz is set to lead the line in the absence of the injured Mergim Berisha, who is nursing a hip problem, placing added pressure on Tietz to end Augsburg’s scoring drought.
In summary, Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Augsburg promises to be a fascinating battle between a side chasing European qualification and an opponent clinging to mid-table security. Dortmund’s recent defensive resilience and unbeaten run offer optimism, but their faltering home form and the memory of October’s defeat to Augsburg loom large. Kovac will demand a proactive approach to avoid the passivity that cost them against Lille, while Thorup will look to replicate the gritty, opportunistic display that secured victory in the reverse fixture. Augsburg’s away form and defensive solidity make them a tricky proposition, but their lack of firepower could leave them vulnerable if Dortmund’s attack clicks. With key players missing on both sides, adaptability will be crucial, and the outcome may well depend on whether Dortmund can translate their statistical dominance into a decisive result at Signal Iduna Park. For BVB, this is a chance to build momentum and close the gap to the top six; for Augsburg, it’s an opportunity to upset the odds once more and bolster their survival bid.
