Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has cautioned his squad against complacency ahead of their Champions League league-phase opener against Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday evening. Despite the Yellow Submarine's slow La Liga start and a 4-0 defeat to Dortmund last season, Kovac recognises the Spanish side's elite pedigree and tactical sophistication.
Die Schwarzgelben arrive in commanding domestic form, winning their opening two Bundesliga matches and progressing smoothly in the DFB-Pokal. However, Kovac has stressed that previous results offer little protection. "They finished third last year and are playing in the Champions League for the second year in a row," the Croatian tactician explained. "Normally, the top three spots in Spain are locked up. If you break into that group, that really says something about a club's quality."
Tactical Blueprint and Possession Play
Villarreal's technical execution under their new coaching staff remains a significant threat despite their domestic struggles. The club continues to operate with Spanish possession-based football, maintaining high levels of technical precision in ball circulation and positional play. Kovac identified limiting their time on the ball as crucial to Dortmund's gameplan. "When they have the ball, this team makes very few mistakes," he noted. "We'll have to make sure we reduce their time in possession. When we have the ball, they can't play their game and have to defend more, which will hopefully work in our favour."
Defensive Concerns for Dortmund
Dortmund face considerable defensive complications entering the fixture. Centre-back Filippo Mane sustained an injury during the weekend victory over Hoffenheim, while ongoing absences of Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can continue to limit options. Disciplinary suspensions for Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini further strain resources at the back. The positive news centres on Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas returning to full fitness after managing workload in training.
For Villarreal, Tuesday's trip to Westfalenstadion represents a crucial opportunity to rebuild confidence after registering just two draws and two defeats across their opening La Liga fixtures. A disastrous European campaign last season, which ended in 35th place following seven defeats, adds urgency to proving their continental credentials against one of Europe's elite sides. This encounter will test whether the Yellow Submarine can translate their proven third-place Spanish pedigree into consistent European performances.
