Borussia Dortmund fans have every reason to be buzzing as their side continues to impress both domestically and in Europe, riding a wave of confidence and resilience under coach Niko Kovac. With a commanding 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on October 1, 2025, and a crucial Bundesliga showdown against RB Leipzig looming, Dortmund’s momentum is hard to ignore. But as every seasoned supporter knows, football is rarely straightforward—there are as many challenges off the pitch as there are on it.
Let’s start with the numbers. Since the end of March, Borussia Dortmund have lost just one of their last eighteen matches in all competitions—a narrow quarter-final first-leg defeat at Barcelona last season. That’s right: 14 wins and three draws in that span, including tough away results in Munich, Turin, and at FC St. Pauli. If you factor in their FIFA Club World Cup campaign over the summer, the record is even more impressive: 17 wins, four draws, and only two losses. It’s a run that has sporting director Sebastian Kehl feeling optimistic. “That shows that we are on the right track,” Kehl said, underlining the club’s renewed stability and ambition.
This hot streak has seen Dortmund remain unbeaten into October at the start of the 2025-26 season—a feat they last achieved in the 2018/19 campaign under Lucien Favre, when their unbeaten run extended into November before a defeat away to Atlético Madrid. The backbone of this success? Defensive solidity, punctuated by moments of attacking brilliance. There have been nervy spells—such as the tense period between the 60th and 80th minutes against Bilbao—but time and again, Dortmund’s players have risen to the occasion.
Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Signal Iduna Park was a microcosm of Dortmund’s season so far: flashes of vulnerability, but ultimately, a display of grit and firepower. Daniel Svensson opened the scoring, and his defensive heroics during Bilbao’s most threatening spell kept BVB in front. “And then a game like this can turn around again,” Kehl reflected. “But it also shows that we are alert at that moment, that we are fresh and fit.” Svensson himself admitted, “It got tough again. But then we scored the third goal, felt a bit better again and just continued to defend well. We’re on a good run at the moment, everyone is enjoying themselves and likes going to training.”
The scoring didn’t stop with Svensson. Serhou Guirassy, ever the opportunist, diverted a shot from the outstanding Marcel Sabitzer to make it 3-1, and Julian Brandt added a fourth in added time—a goal that could prove vital in the final group standings. After two Champions League matchdays, Dortmund sit seventh among the 36 teams, with eighth place guaranteeing direct qualification for the round of 16. With away trips to Copenhagen (October 21) and Manchester City (November 5) on the horizon, every point and every goal could be decisive. Kehl was clear about the team’s priorities: “We have a few tough games, especially away from home. That’s why we absolutely want to win our home games in order to achieve our goal.”
But the European adventure is just one part of the story. The Bundesliga is heating up, and this weekend’s fixture against RB Leipzig is being billed as the marquee match of the round. Leipzig, currently sitting third after four consecutive wins, are brimming with confidence. Their young attacker Antonio Nusa summed up the mood: “We’re obviously full of confidence, but, first and foremost, we need to play the match. It will be a real challenge and a big game. I’m really looking forward to it. Dortmund are a good team.” For Nusa, the prospect of playing at Signal Iduna Park is a childhood dream come true. “(Signal Iduna Park) is incredible. As a kid, you dream of playing in these kinds of games at places like this. It will be a close game. Both teams are in great form. I can’t wait.”
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, meanwhile, is taking nothing for granted. He praised Leipzig’s recent form, noting, “Leipzig have done a lot of things well in their last four games and won those matches. They are rightly in third place and you can see that the team is making progress. One advantage is certainly that they only play once a week.” Kovac has also highlighted the persistence of his side’s attack this season, explaining, “We try to get into the box as much as possible and create chances. Many teams sit very deep against us, so it’s not always easy. We have the quality to score a lot of goals from few chances.”
One player who has stood out is Marcel Sabitzer, the former Bayern Munich midfielder whose versatility and tenacity have made him a lynchpin in Dortmund’s midfield. Kovac didn’t hide his admiration: “Sabi is a player who can play in several positions. He has a lot of experience and can play aggressively. He sets the pace in counter-pressing, is tough in tackles, and holds our midfield together.”
Yet, not everything is rosy. Young midfielder Jobe Bellingham has found the going tough in his first starts for Dortmund this campaign. Substituted in the 69th minute against Bilbao, Bellingham’s performance was described as “nervous” by Kovac, who defended the ex-Sunderland prodigy. The coach was quick to shield his player from criticism, highlighting the pressure the youngster faces—not just from the club, but reportedly from family tensions as well. Such off-field stories are a reminder that footballers are human, too, and that the glare of the spotlight can weigh heavy, especially on young shoulders.
Looking ahead, Dortmund’s schedule is relentless. After the Leipzig clash, they’ll focus on those tricky Champions League away ties, where the stakes are high and the margins razor-thin. But for now, the mood in the camp is upbeat. “Things are looking good at the moment, we’re on a good run, we’re confident. Now we’re looking forward to Leipzig – it’s going to be another heated encounter,” said Kehl. With the team’s blend of youth and experience, and a coach who’s getting the best out of his squad, Dortmund fans can dare to dream—though as always, the next test is just around the corner.
As the Bundesliga’s marquee match approaches and the Champions League group stage heats up, all eyes are on Dortmund. Will their unbeaten run continue? One thing’s for sure: the journey is far from over, and the excitement is only just beginning.
