Borussia Dortmund – Mainz: Kovač Disrupts Henriksen’s European Ambitions (3-1)

Borussia Dortmund and Mainz faced off in a tense tactical battle, with both sides showcasing disciplined defensive structures and well-organized pressing. Key moments in transition and set-pieces played a crucial role in shaping the outcome, as one team found ways to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses. Despite a spirited effort from the visitors, the match ultimately highlighted the fine margins that separate efficiency from missed opportunities.

Tactical analysis and match report by Fahd Ahmed.

Two teams that have had surprising turns to their season faced each other on Sunday night at Signal Iduna Park. Borussia Dortmund’s tumultuous campaign has seen Nuri Şahin depart after a disappointing run of results, with Niko Kovač returning to the Bundesliga as his replacement. Although Dortmund continued to perform inconsistently, a few positive outcomes, especially their victory over two legs against Lille in the Champions League, have slightly raised the mood. Meanwhile, Mainz caught everyone off guard as they surged through the chaotic Bundesliga, with Bo Henriksen’s defensively impregnable team finding themselves in line for Champions League qualification next season. That would be a historic achievement, considering Mainz have yet to play in the Champions League. The last time the MEWA Arena hosted a European game was back in the 2016-17 campaign under Martin Schmidt, when they featured in the Europa League.

Kovač made two alterations to the side that lost to RB Leipzig the week prior – Serhou Guirassy and Marcel Sabitzer were replaced by Salih Özcan and Yan Couto. Bo Henriksen similarly made two changes. Dominik Kohr, who was suspended after picking up a red card against Freiburg, was replaced by Andreas . . .