On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Borussia Dortmund is set to host Union Berlin at the Signal Iduna Park for a pivotal Bundesliga encounter. With kick-off scheduled for 18:30 CET, both clubs meet under significant pressure to secure three points and improve their standings.
Currently, Dortmund sits at 11th place, having recently slipped after suffering a painful 0-2 defeat against VfL Bochum. This loss has intensified the scrutiny surrounding new coach Niko Kovač, who has been criticized for the team’s lack of direction and leadership. Dortmund's last league win at home came on November 23, 2024, marking five consecutive winless games at Signal Iduna Park. The team is struggling to find its form and maintain its traditional home strength.
Union Berlin finds itself just two places below Dortmund, sitting at 13th. With only two wins from their last seven matches, they face challenges of their own. Most recently, they lost 1-2 to Borussia Mönchengladbach, which adds to their woes as they aim to break free from the relegation battle.
Statistically, the match leans heavily in Dortmund's favor; they have won all five of their previous Bundesliga home games against Union, scoring 29 goals to Union's 17 across 13 overall encounters. Notably, these two teams have never played to a draw, indicating the potential for another high-scoring match. The last time they faced off, Union overcame Dortmund 2-1 during the 2024 season.
For this matchup, the confirmed lineups show Kovač making several changes to his squad. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will be guarded by defenders Julian Ryerson, Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini. The midfield duo will feature Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß, supporting attackers Karim Adeyemi, Giovanni Reyna, Maximilian Beier, and Serhou Guirassy. Julian Brandt is sidelined due to injury, leading to adjustments within the starting eleven.
Union's starting lineup will see Frederik Rønnow in goal, with defenders Josip Juranović, Diogo Leite, Danilho Doekhi, and Tom Rothe. Their midfield will include Rani Khedira, Lucas Tousart, and András Schäfer, with Woo-Yeong Jeong, Benedict Hollerbach, and Andrej Ilić spearheading the attack.
The form of both teams has raised questions. Dortmund's performances under Kovač have not only led to defeats but have resulted in them accruing the lowest points at this stage of the season since 2014. Union Berlin has shown flashes of promise, showcased by their recent 4-0 win over TSG Hoffenheim, but remains inconsistent. Defensive vulnerabilities plague both teams, with Union failing to score in four of their last seven league matches.
Interestingly, the tactical approaches of both teams will be under scrutiny. Union Berlin's high work rate has been noted; they average 120.6 kilometers per match, which is the second-highest distance covered by any Bundesliga team. This could potentially exploit Dortmund's vulnerabilities, particularly if they experience defensive lapses as they have shown this season.
Betting odds reflect mounting pressure on Dortmund to perform. The bookies have assigned them as favorites with odds of 1.55 for a home win. Conversely, Union’s away victory is pegged at 5.63, illustrating the perceived gap between the teams.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Dortmund can snap their home losing streak and regain their stature in the Bundesliga hierarchy. The night promises to be electric, not only due to the stakes involved but also the rivalry and history between the two clubs.
Catch the action on Sky, as they hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the Bundesliga match. With all eyes on this clash, can Dortmund overcome their recent troubles and claim victory, or will Union Berlin capitalize on their host's uncertainty?