Dortmund Aims for Title Challenge Against Struggling Wolfsburg

Borussia Dortmund is set to face VfL Wolfsburg in a pivotal Bundesliga match on matchday 21, with the opportunity to close the gap to Bayern Munich to just three points. Conversely, Wolfsburg is in urgent need of a victory, as they are perilously close to the relegation zone, sitting just one point above it.

Wolfsburg’s recent performance has been disappointing, with only one win in their last five matches, which included a staggering 8-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 2-1 loss to relegation rivals Mainz 05. To escape the relegation battle, they will need to secure points against top-tier teams. Their upcoming fixtures include challenging opponents such as RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart, making a strong performance against Dortmund particularly crucial.

In terms of recent encounters, Wolfsburg fans might prefer to look away, as Borussia Dortmund has dominated the last six Bundesliga meetings, winning five and drawing one, with an aggregate score of 14-1. The lone draw occurred in 2024.

If Wolfsburg concedes a goal this weekend, it will mark the 14th consecutive match they have allowed an opponent to score this season, highlighting the urgent need for defensive improvements under coach Daniel Bauer.

For Dortmund, this match represents a significant opportunity to apply pressure on Bayern Munich. A victory would narrow the points difference to just three, placing them in a stronger position as Bayern takes on TSG Hoffenheim the following day. Last weekend, Dortmund narrowly defeated FC Heidenheim 3-2, but their defensive lapses could have cost them dearly.

Captain Nico Schlotterbeck expressed the team’s commitment to fighting for every point in the title race, a sentiment that has sparked mixed reactions among the club’s leadership, including head coach Niko Kovač and sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Kovač emphasized the importance of focusing on maintaining their position rather than looking too far ahead, while Kehl acknowledged Bayern’s dominance in the league.

Wolfsburg continues to face challenges with several key defensive players, including Moritz Jenz, Rogerio, and Joakim Maehle, likely leading to a similar defensive lineup that lost to FC Köln last weekend.

Dortmund, on the other hand, is nearly at full strength, with the only uncertainty being Emre Can due to illness. They will look to capitalize on their current form in this crucial Bundesliga match-up.