Borussia Dortmund 2025/26 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions
Dortmund's Balancing Act: Can Kovac Build on Last Season's Success?
Borussia Dortmund fans have seen it all in recent years: exhilarating highs and crushing lows. After a disastrous start to the 2024/25 season under Nuri Sahin, the arrival of Niko Kovac revitalized the team, guiding them from 11th place to a crucial Champions League spot on the final day with a hard-fought victory against Holstein Kiel.
Dortmund's cup campaigns were a mixed bag. A disappointing second-round exit in the DFB-Pokal at the hands of VfL Wolfsburg contrasted with their impressive run in the Champions League, where they defeated Sporting Lisbon and LOSC Lille before falling to a 5-3 aggregate loss against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.
With eight wins and a single draw in their last eight matches of the season, Kovac appears to have the full backing of the club's hierarchy as he enters his first full campaign at the helm. But can Dortmund strengthen their squad enough to build on last season’s success?
Transfers: A Balancing Act
The retention of Champions League football has undoubtedly played a crucial role in Dortmund's transfer activity this summer. Key players like Gregor Kobel, Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy remain at the club.
However, Jamie Gittens' €56 million move to Chelsea highlights a trend: young talent leaving for bigger clubs. Soumaila Coulibaly (Strasbourg) and Youssoufa Moukoko (Copenhagen) have also departed for a combined €12 million, while Diant Ramaj and Kjell Watjen have gone out on loan.
Dortmund's marquee signing is Jobe Bellingham, who joins from Sunderland for €30.5 million after an impressive season with 4 goals and 3 assists in 43 appearances. The 19-year-old will be hoping to follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps at the club. Yan Couto's loan move has been made permanent, and Daniel Svensson arrives for €6.5 million after a successful six-month loan spell last season.
Despite these additions, some fans feel the window has been underwhelming. There is a noticeable lack of a talismanic player akin to Haaland or Jude Bellingham, leading to speculation about potential returns for Jadon Sancho or Carney Chukwuemeka, whose price tag has reportedly dropped to €25 million.
Pre-Season Preparations
Following a semi-successful FIFA Club World Cup campaign, which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, Dortmund players enjoyed a well-deserved break before returning for pre-season on July 26th at their Brackel training ground. They started with an impressive 8-1 victory over fourth-tier side Sportfreunde Siegen and followed it up with a 3-2 win against Ligue 1 outfit LOSC Lille.
A challenging five-day training camp in Saalfelden, Austria, was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Juventus in Mats Hummels' farewell game upon their return to Dortmund. The club’s first competitive fixture of the season sees them face off against third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 18th.
Predicted Lineup: A Familiar Face
3-4-1-2: Kobel – Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini – Couto, Gross, Nmecha, Svensson – Jobe – Guirassy, Adeyemi
New signing Jobe Bellingham is set to start from the off after a promising pre-season display. However, the injury to Niklas Sule casts a shadow over their opening fixture. Kobel starts in goal as usual, with Julian Ryerson showcasing his versatility in a three-man defense alongside Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini.
On the flanks, Yan Couto and Daniel Svensson are expected to bring tireless energy, while Pascal Gross and Felix Nmecha form the midfield duo behind Jobe in an advanced No.10 role.
With pre-season tactics suggesting a shift towards a double-pronged strike force, Serhou Guirassy will likely be supported by Karim Adeyemi's pace.
Season Predictions: A Quest for Consistency
The retention of key players provides much-needed stability under Kovac, provided injuries don't derail their progress. Nico Schlotterbeck's return in late October will bolster the defense, and Guirassy's clinical finishing poses a threat to opposing defenses.
After several tumultuous campaigns, Dortmund desperately needs a season of consistency. However, the lack of a standout star player is a concern. While a top-three finish seems realistic if they can maintain their late 2024/25 form, challenging for the Meisterschale appears unlikely at this stage.