Borussia Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | Pre Match
Borussia Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg
On Saturday afternoon, Signal Iduna Park will be the epicenter of Bundesliga drama as Borussia Dortmund, clinging to their hopes of Champions League qualification, host a faltering Wolfsburg side in the third-to-last matchweek of the 2024-25 season. Dortmund, under the guidance of head coach Niko Kovač, are riding a wave of momentum following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim on April 26, a result that has propelled them to sixth place with 48 points and kept them within striking distance of the top four. Their prolific scoring form, with 15 goals in their last five league matches, has been a hallmark of their resurgence, though defensive lapses remain a concern. Wolfsburg, by contrast, are languishing in 12th place with 39 points, their 1-0 defeat to Freiburg on the same date encapsulating a dismal run that has extinguished their European ambitions. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side, plagued by an impotent attack and a porous defense, have failed to score in four of their last six matches and have not kept a clean sheet in 11, making them vulnerable against a Dortmund team that thrives at home. With Dortmund’s unbeaten streak and Wolfsburg’s road struggles setting the stage, this clash promises to be a defining moment for both clubs, a test of Dortmund’s European credentials and Wolfsburg’s ability to salvage pride in a season that has slipped away.
Borussia Dortmund’s campaign has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but their recent form suggests a team hitting its stride at a critical juncture. The 3-2 win over Hoffenheim, secured by Waldemar Anton’s 95th-minute strike after a late equalizer threatened to steal points, showcased their resilience and attacking firepower. With 15 goals in their last five league outings—matching their total from the previous 10—Dortmund have rediscovered the clinical edge that defined their earlier seasons. Kovač, who has steadied the ship since taking charge, has his side in the Conference League qualification spot, but their proximity to fourth-placed Freiburg, just three points ahead, keeps the dream of Champions League football alive. Unbeaten in their last five league matches, including a hard-fought draw against rivals Bayern Munich on April 12, Dortmund have shown they can compete with the best, though their concession of eight goals in that span highlights a defensive vulnerability that Wolfsburg, despite their struggles, could exploit. At Signal Iduna Park, where Dortmund have won their last three matches after a patchy run of four losses, five draws, and two wins in their prior 11 home games, the Black and Yellows are a formidable force. Their 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg in December, where they raced to a three-goal lead before holding firm with 10 men, serves as a reminder of their dominance in this fixture, but Kovač will demand focus to navigate a mounting injury crisis and secure the points needed to climb into the top four.
Wolfsburg, by contrast, are a shadow of the team that once harbored European ambitions, their season unraveling in a cascade of defeats and missed opportunities. The 1-0 loss to Freiburg, where they managed just one shot on target and a single open-play effort from inside the box, epitomized their attacking woes, with four goalless outings in their last six matches underscoring a chronic lack of creativity. Hasenhüttl, whose appointment was meant to spark a revival, has been unable to arrest the slide, with Wolfsburg losing five and drawing one of their last six league games, a run that has relegated them to mid-table obscurity. Their defensive frailties are equally glaring, with no clean sheets in 11 matches, a statistic that bodes ill against a Dortmund side averaging three goals per game in their recent outings. Away from home, Wolfsburg’s form has been particularly dire, with two losses and a draw in their last three road games, their inability to score compounded by defensive errors that have cost them dearly. The 3-1 defeat to Dortmund in December, where they were overrun in the first half, highlights the challenge they face at Signal Iduna Park, a venue where their historical struggles—failing to win in their last five visits—add to the sense of foreboding. Hasenhüttl’s task is to galvanize a squad depleted by injuries and suspensions, but with key players missing and morale sagging, Wolfsburg face an uphill battle to avoid another humbling defeat.
The team news for both sides adds layers of complexity, with injuries and suspensions forcing tactical adjustments that could shape the outcome. Dortmund are grappling with a midfield crisis, as Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß are sidelined, potentially pushing Emre Can from his recent defensive role into midfield alongside Felix Nmecha. The absence of attacker Maximilian Beier, out until late May with an ankle injury, and defender Nico Schlotterbeck, places additional pressure on Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi to support striker Serhou Guirassy, while Niklas Süle, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini are likely to form a back three. This makeshift lineup, while talented, lacks cohesion, and Kovač will need to rely on the home crowd and Dortmund’s attacking momentum to overwhelm Wolfsburg. For the visitors, the suspension of midfielder Maximilian Arnold and the injury to Mattias Svanberg weaken their engine room, with Bence Dárdai and Yannick Gerhardt likely to step in. Up front, Jonas Wind and Mohamed El Amine Amoura could flank Patrick Wimmer, but the absence of Kevin Behrens limits their options. Defensively, the unavailability of Kevin Paredes, Rogério, and Sebastiaan Bornauw leaves Hasenhüttl to rely on center-backs Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, and Konstantinos Koulierakis, supported by wing-backs Jakub Kamiński and Joakim Mæhle. This patched-up defense, already prone to errors, faces a daunting task against Dortmund’s rampant attack, but Wolfsburg’s desperation could fuel a spirited performance.
The broader context of this match amplifies its significance, with Dortmund chasing a Champions League lifeline and Wolfsburg seeking to restore pride in a lost season. For Dortmund, a victory is crucial to maintain their pursuit of Freiburg and the top four, their recent scoring spree and home resurgence offering hope of overtaking their rivals in the final weeks. Kovač’s ability to navigate the injury crisis and shore up a leaky defense will be pivotal, as will the performances of Guirassy, Brandt, and Adeyemi, who must capitalize on Wolfsburg’s defensive frailties. The Signal Iduna Park faithful, renowned for their fervent support, will create a cauldron of noise, amplifying Dortmund’s advantage. For Wolfsburg, the match is an opportunity to halt their slide and build momentum for a respectable finish, though their European hopes are all but extinguished. Hasenhüttl’s challenge is to inspire a squad that has lost its way, leveraging the return of key players like Wind and Amoura to pose a threat on the counter. The historical precedent of Dortmund’s dominance in this fixture, coupled with Wolfsburg’s road struggles, tilts the balance heavily in BVB’s favor, but football’s unpredictability offers a faint hope of an upset.
As Signal Iduna Park prepares to host this clash of ambition and adversity, the atmosphere will be electric, with Dortmund’s fans desperate for a win to fuel their European dreams and Wolfsburg’s traveling supporters clinging to hope of a defiant performance. Dortmund’s attacking firepower and home form make them favorites, but their defensive vulnerabilities and injury-hit squad level the playing field, if only slightly. Wolfsburg’s lack of goals and defensive fragility suggest a team ripe for exploitation, yet their desperation could spark a response. The outcome will hinge on Dortmund’s ability to maintain their scoring streak and Wolfsburg’s capacity to seize rare opportunities. In a season defined by Dortmund’s resurgence and Wolfsburg’s collapse, this encounter encapsulates the Bundesliga’s drama, a clash of aspiration and survival that could shape the final weeks of the campaign. For Dortmund, the Champions League beckons; for Wolfsburg, pride and a flicker of redemption hang in the balance.
