Pre-Match Analysis: Dortmund travels to Bologna in critical Champions League Clash

Borussia Dortmund has struggled in 2025, losing each of their three opening matches. Nuri Sahin knows that anything less than a win against Bologna may cost him his job. 

Borussia Dortmund v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2
Borussia Dortmund v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 | Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/GettyImages
1 of 5

Borussia Dortmund opened 2025 in the worst possible fashion, losing three consecutive matches. Nuri Sahin’s tactics have been confusing to watch, while many of BVB’s finest players have looked far inferior than they should. It’s been a tumultuous week for the team, full of criticism and hierarchical discontent.

While Dortmund is tenth in the Bundesliga, the Black-and-Yellows are currently ninth in the UEFA Champions League — League Phase and a single place outside the Round-of-Sixteen Automatic Qualification. With two wins, BVB should be able to secure a top-eight spot, but can Nuri Sahin manage to keep the top-eight in sight while also retaining his job? 

Here is Bologna's match-up preview, including teams news, players to watch on both sides, the likely line-ups, and predictions in what could be Sahin's final match: