Borussia Dortmund will be keen to snap their three-game losing streak in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund face a challenging reset as they begin life without Nuri Sahin, hosting Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday in a Bundesliga clash that could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons.
The hosts, sitting in tenth place with 25 points, parted ways with Sahin following a series of underwhelming performances, including a 2-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in their last league game. Interim coach Mike Tullberg, promoted from Dortmund’s Under-19s, will look to reignite the team’s campaign and steady the ship in front of their home supporters.
Dortmund’s recent form has been concerning, with the team suffering five defeats in their last nine outings, including a dismal four-game losing streak to cap off Sahin’s tenure. Defensive frailties have been a glaring issue, with 11 goals conceded in their last four matches, a statistic that includes a damaging 2-1 Champions League defeat to Bologna earlier this week.
On the attacking front, the team remains the Bundesliga’s sixth-best offensive unit, having scored 32 goals this term, but their inability to balance defence and attack has been their undoing. Signal Iduna Park, usually a fortress, has seen Dortmund fail to win their last four home games, though their prior streak of 11 consecutive home victories underscores their potential to turn things around.
Werder Bremen, meanwhile, come into this encounter in ninth place with 26 points, just one above their hosts. Ole Werner’s men have endured a dip in form, going winless in their last three games, including a 2-0 defeat to Augsburg last weekend. Despite their struggles, Bremen’s attacking capabilities cannot be overlooked; they scored 11 goals across four matches before their recent slump.
However, defensive vulnerabilities have also plagued them, with nine goals conceded in their last three outings and a total of 34 conceded this season, the fifth-worst record in the Bundesliga. Their away form has been inconsistent, with two wins and three defeats in their last five games on the road.
This fixture marks the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the reverse fixture ending in a goalless draw. Dortmund will look to their attacking flair and home advantage to break their winless streak, while Bremen will aim to capitalize on their opponents’ defensive instability to get back to winning ways.
With both teams struggling for consistency, this clash promises to be an intriguing battle for crucial points. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund approach this pivotal clash with a near-full squad, a rarity considering their earlier struggles with injuries. The only notable absentee is centre-back Niklas Süle, which paves the way for Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton to form the defensive pairing at the heart of their backline. Marius Wolf and Ramy Bensebaini could occupy the full-back positions, tasked with providing width while maintaining defensive solidity.
In midfield, Emre Can and Felix Nmecha are likely to operate as a double pivot. This pairing offers a blend of mobility and defensive cover, enabling Dortmund to protect their backline while linking play effectively with the forward line. Their ability to control the tempo of the game will be crucial in ensuring Dortmund transitions fluidly between defence and attack.
The attacking setup is expected to feature the dynamic quartet of Jamie Gittens, Julian Brandt, Maximilian Beier, and striker Serhou Guirassy. Brandt’s creativity in the central attacking role will be pivotal in unlocking Bremen’s defence, while the pace and trickery of Bynoe-Gittens and Beier on the flanks will look to exploit spaces out wide.
Guirassy, a clinical finisher, will lead the line, aiming to capitalise on the opportunities created by his teammates. This lineup, combining youthful exuberance and experienced heads, will aim to inject fresh energy into Dortmund’s performance under interim coach Mike Tullberg.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Nmecha; Beier, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen enter this fixture with a few key absentees, most notably midfielder Felix Agu, who is sidelined until early February. In his absence, Jens Stage and Senne Lynen are likely to form the midfield partnership, tasked with maintaining balance and providing defensive cover while facilitating transitions.
Defender Julian Malatini is also unavailable due to a muscle injury, leaving coach Ole Werner with limited options at the back. As a result, a back three comprising Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl, and Anthony Jung is expected to start, with their experience crucial in dealing with Dortmund’s attacking threats. Wing-backs Mitchell Weiser and Derrick Kohn will provide width, contributing both defensively and offensively.
In the forward line, striker Keke Topp is unavailable due to an ankle injury, forcing Bremen to adjust their attacking setup. Marvin Ducksch is set to lead the line, supported by the creative duo of Romano Schmid and Marco Grull. This combination will aim to exploit any defensive lapses from Dortmund, with Ducksch’s finishing ability and Schmid’s creativity being pivotal.
Bremen’s 3-4-2-1 formation offers defensive solidity while allowing them to transition quickly into attack, making them a threat on the counter. Michael Zetterer will function as the last line of defence in goal.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Kohn; Schmid, Grull; Ducksch
Key Stats
- Borussia Dortmund have lost just one of their last 12 Bundesliga matches against Werder Bremen (W7 D4) and are unbeaten in their last four encounters. Bremen’s only points in this span came during the most recent meeting in August 2024, which ended in a 0-0 draw, breaking their run of 24 Bundesliga matches without a clean sheet against Dortmund.
- Dortmund lost their first three Bundesliga games after the winter break for the first time since 2017. They now face the possibility of four straight Bundesliga defeats for the first time since 2014 under Jürgen Klopp, when they endured a similar streak of five losses.
- Dortmund have picked up just 25 points this Bundesliga season, marking their lowest tally after 18 games since the 2014-15 campaign when they had 16 points. In contrast, Werder Bremen are enjoying their best Bundesliga season since 2011/12, collecting 26 points from 18 matches, despite failing to win any of their last three.
- In the 2025 Bundesliga standings, Dortmund are in 17th place with 0 points and a -5 goal difference, sitting directly below Werder Bremen, who are in 16th place with 1 point and a -4 goal difference. This is the first time in the current Bundesliga season that Bremen have gone three games without a win.
- Dortmund conceded their first home defeat in the Bundesliga since April 2024 (0-1 vs Stuttgart) in their last match against Leverkusen. They are now winless in three consecutive home league games for the first time in over four years (D2 L1), a streak last experienced under Lucien Favre at the end of 2020.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
The Guinea international has been one of the standout performers for Borussia Dortmund this season, contributing consistently in attack despite the team’s overall struggles. Known for his strength, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing, Guirassy has the ability to change games single-handedly.
This season, Guirassy has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer, tallying crucial goals for Dortmund in key moments. His ability to hold up play and bring teammates into attacking sequences makes him more than just a traditional striker. Against a Werder Bremen defence that has conceded 34 goals in the Bundesliga so far, Guirassy’s movement in the box and finishing ability could prove to be decisive.
Facing a Werder Bremen side that has been inconsistent on the road, Guirassy will aim to exploit their defensive lapses and help Dortmund regain form at Signal Iduna Park. A strong performance from the striker could reignite Dortmund’s season and set the tone for a turnaround under new management.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Werder Bremen
Dortmund’s attacking talent and the new manager’s bounce under Mike Tullberg could see them edge a close contest, while Bremen’s defensive issues may leave them vulnerable at key moments. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Tullberg and his charges.
