As of March 2025, Borussia Dortmund (BVB) finds itself in a challenging position, sitting 10 points adrift from Eintracht Frankfurt, which currently holds the coveted fourth place in the Bundesliga standings. With only eight matches left in the season, the pressure is mounting for the team under head coach Niko Kovač. The management has issued a clear mandate: victory must become a regular expectation as they strive to salvage their tumultuous campaign. According to Bild, the ultimatum can be summed up in their phrase: “Europe or Nothing!”
The aim is ambitious; Dortmund wants to ensure that they qualify for one of the UEFA European competitions, specifically the Europa League or the Europa Conference League for the 2025/26 season. This objective is no small feat, considering the formidable competition they will face. To achieve their goal, the BVB must secure at least 18 points from their remaining eight Bundesliga fixtures, which translates to six wins — a daunting task in light of their current form.
The remaining fixtures for the BVB include critical matches against both Mainz 05 at home and SC Freiburg away, along with a daunting encounter against the reigning champions FC Bayern Munich away. They will also face Borussia Mönchengladbach, TSG Hoffenheim, VfL Wolfsburg, and Bayer Leverkusen, with the BVB management expressing that they do not expect to gain points from the matches against Bayern and Leverkusen. These two fixtures are seen as major challenges for the team.
Despite the bleak outlook, BVB’s leadership remains optimistic. They are urging the players to treat every remaining match as a must-win. Borussia's top brass, including managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke, sporting director Lars Ricken, and advisor Matthias Sammer, are vocal about their expectations, with Watzke clearly stating, "The objective for this season is Europe." The leadership remains determined to instill confidence in the squad despite the odds stacked against them.
Not only is the current Bundesliga position concerning for the club from a competitive standpoint, but failing to secure a spot in European competitions could have dire financial ramifications. A season without European football could lead to significant financial losses and tarnish the club's reputation, transforming them from a Champions League finalist into a mere footnote in European football.
If Dortmund cannot finish in the top six of the Bundesliga, a potential avenue to European competition remains. Positions will open up due to the performance of teams still competing in domestic cups. If top teams, like RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, make deep runs in the DFB-Pokal, it might create a chance for a seventh-place finish to qualify for the less prestigious Conference League.
As the club braces for this intense final stretch of the season, the message from management is taxingly clear: drop points in these fixtures, and the implications will be vast. The looming specter of a season without European competition is spurring the players to push to their limits. The team is well aware that they need to capitalize on matches against direct competitors for this goal, and they face significant pressure.
The conclusion of their season will not just define their place in Europe but will also shape the narrative surrounding the club moving forward. Dramatic turns lie ahead for Borussia Dortmund as they aim to turn their season around and achieve the elusive European qualification. Keeping faith in their abilities and translating that belief into results is the challenge that lies ahead for Kovač’s side.
While the players gear up for this critical phase, it’s also worth noting that the BVB is not only focusing on league performance. Additionally, they have a pair of games against FC Barcelona remaining, which could serve as another pathway to European football should they manage to clinch a title there.
In summary, Borussia Dortmund's quest for European football is fraught with challenges, but the management remains undeterred, laying out clear expectations for the squad. With their sights firmly set on salvaging this season, all eyes will be on the BVB's resilience and ability to bounce back in their upcoming eight matches.
