After a promising start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga season, Borussia Dortmund (BVB) is set to face TSG Hoffenheim in their first away match. Following a solid 2-0 victory over Hamburger SV in their season opener, BVB continued their momentum with an impressive 5-0 win against HEBC in the DFB-Pokal. However, the joy was tempered by the unfortunate injury to new signing Giannis Konstantelias, who suffered a torn ACL during his debut match.
As BVB prepares for their clash with Hoffenheim, coach Niko Kovac emphasized the significance of a strong season start. "The start to a season is always very important, you have to get rolling. That applies to every team, and of course to us as well. We’re going to Sinsheim to win the game," Kovac stated. His team aims to secure a third consecutive clean-sheet victory, while Hoffenheim is eager to bounce back after a disappointing 3-2 loss to 1. FC Köln in their opener.
In terms of squad availability, BVB will be without several key players, including Konstantelias, Emre Can, and Nico Schlotterbeck, all of whom are recovering from injuries. Schlotterbeck has recently returned to training, providing a glimmer of hope for his eventual return. Kovac also mentioned that young talents Mussa Kaba and Enzo Dos Santos, along with Ramy Bensebaini, have made progress in their recoveries and are back in training.
New signing Ethan Nwaneri could make his competitive debut for BVB, with Kovac expressing confidence in the young player's abilities. "He is a fit player who could theoretically, and maybe also practically, play right away. He has technical abilities that are very good, and we’ve already been able to see that in training. I’m very satisfied," Kovac said, highlighting the positive impact Nwaneri has made since joining the team.
On the other side, Hoffenheim is looking to recover from their recent defeat and build on a successful 2025/26 season that saw them return to European competition. They managed to defeat BVB in their last encounter, a 2-1 victory secured by a late penalty from Andrej Kramaric. Kovac is keen to avenge that loss, but he also respects Hoffenheim's capabilities, noting the importance of giving coaches time to implement their strategies effectively.
"You can see how important it is to give someone the time to implement certain things. The football played in Hoffenheim is very intense, very aggressive and vertical," Kovac remarked. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Hoffenheim, describing them as a team that excels in running and aggressive defending. With both teams eager to assert their dominance, Kovac recognizes that matches against Hoffenheim are often tightly contested, relying on small details to determine the outcome.
As BVB heads into this crucial match, they carry the confidence of their strong start and aim to maintain their defensive solidity while seeking a vital away win. The clash against Hoffenheim promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams look to establish their positions early in the Bundesliga season.
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