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Borussia Dortmund, last season’s quarterfinalists, began their 2025/26 Champions League campaign in dramatic fashion. Away to Juventus two weeks ago, they looked set for a statement win after leading 4-2 deep into stoppage time. But in a chaotic finale, Dortmund conceded twice to settle for a 4-4 draw — a result that felt more like a defeat given their dominance for much of the match.
Since then, the German side has responded well in domestic competition, edging Wolfsburg 1-0 in the Bundesliga to maintain their unbeaten record across all competitions. Dortmund currently sit second in the league table and will travel to Mainz this weekend in search of further momentum before returning to European action.
Bilbao’s Rocky Return to the Champions League
For Athletic Bilbao, this season marks their first Champions League campaign in eleven years, but the Basques have found life difficult at this level. Their group-stage debut ended in a 2-0 home defeat against Arsenal, a performance that highlighted the gap between themselves and Europe’s elite.
Their league form has also stuttered since the September international break. Bilbao suffered back-to-back defeats to Alavés (0-1) and Valencia (0-2) before being held to a 1-1 draw by Girona. Last weekend, they traveled to Villarreal looking to rediscover their rhythm. Despite the slump, Ernesto Valverde’s men still occupy fifth place in La Liga, thanks largely to a strong start to the season that gave them a cushion in the standings.
Team News and Key Players
Dortmund manager Niko Kovač continues to grapple with injury absences. Defensive stalwart Niklas Süle and versatile midfielder Emre Can have yet to feature this season due to long-term issues. Young defender Anselmino and new attacking signing Fábio Silva are also doubtful as they work through their recoveries. Midfielder Salih Özcan has not been registered for the group stage.
Up front, Serhou Guirassy remains Dortmund’s most dangerous weapon, having already scored four Bundesliga goals. While he is yet to open his account in Europe this term, Karim Adeyemi has stepped up, contributing goals and assists in three straight games prior to the Mainz fixture.
For Athletic Bilbao, defensive options are stretched. Veteran centre-back Yeray Álvarez is suspended following a doping case, while Aymeric Laporte, who returned to the club over the summer, was signed too late to be included in the Champions League squad. Youngster Egiluz and reserve midfielder Prados are also unavailable. In attack, star winger Nico Williams — who has been involved in three league goals so far — is recovering from injury and remains a major doubt for this clash.
Match Outlook
Athletic Bilbao’s struggles away from home in European competition are well documented. The Basques have lost six of their last eight matches on the road in Europe, conceding 16 goals during that stretch. Their defensive vulnerabilities could be ruthlessly exploited by a Dortmund side that has been in fine attacking form.
The German outfit has netted 20 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions, collecting 18 points from a possible 21 domestically. With momentum on their side, and a home crowd behind them, Dortmund will be confident of securing their first win of this year’s Champions League campaign.
Prediction
Given Dortmund’s attacking firepower and Bilbao’s poor record on their travels, the odds are firmly stacked in favor of the Bundesliga side. Expect the hosts to control proceedings and take another step toward qualification.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
