Borussia Dortmund arrive in Azerbaijan on Tuesday with their Champions League campaign in need of a reset. Niko Kovac’s side face Sabah at 18:45 having taken only three points from their opening two European fixtures, while a run of three matches without victory has interrupted what had been a promising start to the season.
Dortmund seek a response in Baku
- Dortmund opened their Champions League programme with a 3-2 win over Villarreal, driven by two goals from Serhou Guirassy.
- Their second league-phase match ended in a 1-0 defeat away to Bodø/Glimt, leaving the German club on three points.
- That loss has been followed by Bundesliga draws against Werder Bremen, 2-2, and Union Berlin, 0-0.
The goalless draw with Union means Dortmund have failed to score in each of their past two outings. Guirassy, the Guinea forward who remains the focal point of Kovac’s attack, will be expected to lead the response as the visitors try to prevent their route towards the knockout rounds becoming more complicated.
Dortmund sit 18th in the standings after two matches. Victory would move them closer to the places that offer direct passage into the round of 16, and their squad depth and European experience make them the stronger side on paper.
Sabah’s first European campaign gathers pace
For Sabah, the evening represents another major chapter in a remarkable first season among Europe’s elite. Founded in 2017, the Azerbaijani club won its first league title last term and are now playing in the Champions League for the first time.
- Sabah began with a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
- They then answered emphatically by beating Slavia Prague 2-0.
- Kaheem Parris and Joy-Lance Mickels scored in that win, securing the club’s first victory in the competition.
That result has put Sabah level with Dortmund on three points, although they are currently 22nd in the table. The team coached by Dambrauskas have already shown that a difficult opening night does not define their European week, and they will look to use home support to unsettle another established name.
Dortmund travel east needing goals, points and momentum. Sabah, meanwhile, have an opportunity to turn an already historic campaign into an even bigger statement against one of the competition’s most experienced visitors.
