Borussia Dortmund sporting manager Nils-Ole Book is expecting a challenging contest against Paderborn when the sides clash in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
After a triumphant start to their Champions League season on Tuesday, the BVB turn their attention to the league once more where they've won both their opening matches.
A 2-0 win over Hamburger SV was followed by a 3-2 comeback victory over Hoffenheim last weekend as Dortmund claimed six points from six for the first time since 2022-23 season.
Niko Kovac's side are currently on a four-game winning run in all competitions and enter Saturday's game as favorites, but Book remains cautious.
"It’s definitely going to be a tough challenge. Of course, I know Paderborn very well, just like our coaches and players, who’ve studied them extensively. We know how intensely Paderborn can play soccer, how hard-working they are, and what good systems they have. We’re well aware that they’ve caused major problems for every opponent. "
Paderborn are back in the Bundesliga for the first time since 2020 after securing a promotion via the playoffs, where the North Rhine-Westphalia beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at home to seal their top-flight return.
A 4-2 win on the road to Phonix Lubeck in the DFB-Pokal first round even made for a lively start to their season, but Paderborn haven't enjoyed such luck in the Bundesliga so far.
Mainz held them to a goalless stalemate before Freiburg beat them 1-0 on matchday two for their first top-flight loss since returning. But the club still awaits their first three-pointer.
Book though, reiterated that his side wants to build on their rich vein of form right now:
"Nevertheless, we’re looking forward to a home game in the Bundesliga and want to build on our strong performance against Villarreal"
BVB buoyed by return of two key defenders
Borussia Dortmund have received a massive boost ahead of Paderborn's visit to Signal Iduna Park as stars Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini are back from their injuries and currently available for selection too.
Schlotterbeck had been sidelined with an ankle injury during the World Cup with Germany whereas Bensebaini sustained a rib problem during their clash against Bayern Munich in the German Supercup last month.
Head coach Niko Kovac has confirmed both the centre-backs, keyb cornerstones of their 2025-26 Bundesliga season, are available and might as well play, although it's unclear if they'd start or come off the bench.
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