Borussia DortmundPosition last season: 2nd Positives to take from 2025/26: While Dortmund were never really close to toppling Bayern at the summit, they were clearly the best of the rest, ultimately finishing eight points ahead of RB Leipzig in third. In Niko Kovač’s first full season in charge, BVB were defensively solid, conceding a league-low 34 goals, while only VfB Stuttgart and the title winners scored more than their tally of 70. Dortmund's total of 73 points was their highest since 2018/19, and they lost just two of their first 28 Bundesliga fixtures, both of which came against Bayern.
In both outings versus the Bavarians, Dortmund tested their opponents until the final whistle, and they will be convinced they can build on those showings over the coming 10 months. Watch: Borussia Dortmund return to training
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