Match Preview: Another Not So Lazy Sunday for BVB

SB Nation

After dismissing Hoffenheim with a very grown-up 2-nil shift last Sunday, Dortmund followed it up with a bad (not just bitter) 2-all slip-up versus Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League. Assuming Die Schwarzgelben

carry on with their unrhythmic ways, we should be due for another positive result this Sunday, no?

In the penultimate game before the winter break, Kovac and his men find themselves in the Breisgau area. Since returning to the Bundesliga in 2016, Freiburg have established themselves as a “top-half of the table” side. Even after the departure of their cult status coach Christian Streich in 2024, Freiburg have maintained their dependable status under former assistant manager Julian Schuster. Der SC is currently sporting a fairly average point tally of 16, ranking them ninth in the league, with a goal difference of 20-22.

Dortmund have scored just 23 goals themselves, but have conceded only half as many as Freiburg this season. They will certainly try to build out that goal difference this weekend, in addition to extending the gap between them and fourth-placed Leverkusen. What could help with that? Maybe the mental edge of having beaten Freiburg in their last seven meetings? Then again, do those records really mean anything when we’re talking about BVB?

Player to Watch: Johan Manzambi

The 20-year-old Swiss is yet another example of the great youth work that leads through the Europa-Park Stadion. Within a calendar year, the market value of the midfield dynamo has skyrocketed from 750,000 to 15 million euros (via Transfermarkt), and it likely isn’t stopping there. Number 44 could very well be pulling the strings on Sunday, and Dortmund will need to stay on their toes. The tenacity with which he plays both ends is especially impressive for someone his age, thus sparking the interest of PSG, Napoli, Leverkusen, etc. I’m seeing hints of Man City’s Tijjani Reijnders.

Predicted Lineup:

Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino sustained muscular injuries against Bodø and are still undergoing tests. However, it is feared that both could be out of action for multiple weeks. A bitter pill to swallow, as Waldi has started in every single game this season! Marcel Sabitzer is carrying a knock.

Taking that into account, the defence almost selects itself. In my opinion, Couto and Silva are regular starters going forward, as both are brilliant in transition and bring a certain footballing ease / Joga Bonito element that we just aren’t getting from Guirassy or Ryerson (Guirassy’s constant pouting is making me less of a fan every week, might I add).

Brandt will ideally ride the elation of his midweek brace, and Adeyemi is in dire need of a bounce-back game after his woeful cameo as a sub on Wednesday night.