Bundesliga Showdown: Borussia Dortmund vs. VfL Wolfsburg

Borussia Dortmund has the opportunity to narrow the gap to Bayern Munich to just three points by facing VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on matchday 21. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg desperately needs a victory, as they are just one point above the relegation zone.

VfL Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg’s recent form has not been promising, with only one win in their last five matches, including a heavy 8-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 2-1 loss to their relegation rivals, Mainz 05.

To break free from relegation concerns, Wolfsburg must secure points against the league’s top teams. Their next five Bundesliga matches include tough opponents such as RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart, both competing at the top of the table. A victory against Dortmund would be ideal, especially considering Mainz, sitting at 16th, is gaining confidence.

Historically, Wolfsburg fans might want to look away, as their team has struggled against Dortmund, losing five out of their last six encounters in the Bundesliga with a staggering score difference of 14-1. The only match that didn’t end in defeat for Wolfsburg was a 1-1 stalemate back in 2024.

Furthermore, if Wolfsburg concedes a goal this weekend, it will mark the 14th straight game they have done so this season. With the threat of relegation looming, coach Daniel Bauer’s squad must quickly find a way to address their defensive weaknesses.

Borussia Dortmund

This match is crucial for Borussia Dortmund. A win would bring them to within three points of Bayern Munich, who are set to play TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday. A successful weekend could see Dortmund closing in on Bayern’s points total.

Dortmund narrowly exceeded expectations last weekend, defeating bottom-placed FC Heidenheim 3-2 at home. However, their defense was suspect, allowing multiple clear scoring opportunities, and they could have easily lost by a larger margin.

This situation might provide some optimism for Wolfsburg, but Dortmund will be determined to avoid a repeat of their previous defensively weak performance, especially with a chance to tighten the title race significantly this matchday.

Following the match against Heidenheim, captain Nico Schlotterbeck emphasized their pursuit of every point, expressing hope for a title challenge. However, comments like these have sparked criticism within the club’s leadership, including head coach Niko Kovač and sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who feel the pressure for results.

Kovač reacted to Schlotterbeck’s remarks by focusing on the need to maintain their position in the league, emphasizing the importance of gathering points to keep rivals at bay. Kehl echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the challenge posed by Bayern Munich, which routinely performs well in various competitions.

Team News

VfL Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg will be missing key defensive players including Moritz Jenz, Rogerio, and Joakim Maehle. Expect to see a similar backline that suffered a 1-0 defeat to FC Köln in their last outing.

Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund is mostly at full strength, with the exception of Emre Can, who is a doubt due to illness. They appear ready to face Wolfsburg in this crucial Bundesliga clash.