Borussia Dortmund and Bologna meet in the seventh round of the UEFA Champions League league phase for the 2024/25 season. On one side, a European giant fighting to overcome domestic struggles; on the other, a first-time competitor still searching for their first win. The Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna, Italy, sets the stage for a clash that may shape both teams' paths in the tournament.
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Dortmund strong in the Champions League but stumbling in the Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund will make its way to Italy under very unusual light. While it performed decently in Europe with four wins and one loss in six matches, recent stumbles in the Bundesliga raise one or two question marks. Three defeats in a row definitely are not what head coach Nuri Sahin had in mind as a starting point into the new year. The Champions League provides a lifeline for them. Ninth on 12 points is the placement of BVB in the general ranking, being a point off top eight - securing automatic qualifications into the round of the last 16.
Sahin does have nearly a full squad to choose from, with the injured Niklas Süle and suspended Ramy Bensebaini the only absentees. Karim Adeyemi is fit enough after his illness and will be available to start, leaving Serhou Guirassy and Jamie Gittens as Dortmund's chief threats in attack.
Recently, Dortmund's Champions League history is on the up. Runners-up last season, the Germans have won eight of their 13 European outings in 2024. Guirassy, with six goals in this edition, remains an essential factor for Dortmund's offensive power.
Bologna's tough start to life in Europe
Making their Champions League debut, Bologna face contrasting realities at home and abroad. While they are seated seventh in Serie A, coming from an impressive 3-1 win over Monza, on the European stage, the Italians have failed to secure a win, which has seen them record two draws and four losses so far.
Under Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna had a poor summer, as they lost quality players such as Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori. Still, players such as Riccardo Orsolini and Santiago Castro stepped up and represent the main weapons of the Italian team to surprise Dortmund.
History
Bologna's clashes against German teams are limited. The last time they met a German opponent was in the 1970/71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
What's at stake
The mission is simple for Borussia Dortmund: get three points and stay in the hunt for automatic qualification. With matches against Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk still to come, there is ample opportunity to seal a Round of 16 berth and banish recent Bundesliga disappointments. Sahin views this Italian trip as an opportunity for a turning point, where a good showing in Europe could take some heat off the domestic front.
While the task for Dortmund is to return to the winner's circle, matters are altogether tougher for Bologna: winless hitherto in their last two games, for even a possibility to qualify. In fact, any such victory against any power of Europe could very well turn into a memorable victory in this their maiden Champions League season, one that can serve as an endorphin boost throughout this term.