Dortmund Names Lineup for Champions League Clash With Sabah

Borussia Dortmund travels to Azerbaijan to face Sabah FK in the UEFA Champions League league phase on October 20, 2026, with both teams entering the third matchday on three points. According to lineup reports published by sports outlets, the German side has confirmed its starting formation for the match in Baku as manager Niko Kovac looks to end a three-game winless run. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:45 Central European Time at Baku Olympic Stadium, according to Yahoo Sports.

Both teams have an opportunity to strengthen their position in the league phase, where each has collected three points from its opening two matches, according to Mashable. Dortmund will use a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Gregor Kobel in goal. The starting defense consists of Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini, while Julian Ryerson, Veerman, Felix Nmecha, and Svensson form the midfield line.

Chukwuemeka will operate behind the forward pairing of Silva and Serhou Guirassy. Yahoo Sports published the confirmed lineup ahead of kickoff.

Sabah FK is expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 formation. Pokatilov starts in goal, supported by Zedadka, McCarthy, Solvet, and Puchacz in defense. Lepinjica, Rakhmonaliev, and Du Queiroz make up the midfield trio, with Parris and Simić positioned behind forward Mickels. The lineup provides the Azerbaijani side with a defined attacking structure against Dortmund's three-man defense.

Dortmund enters the European fixture after failing to win any of its three matches since the international break, according to BVB Buzz. The sequence began with a 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Werder Bremen, followed by a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt and a goalless draw against Union Berlin. Before the international break, Dortmund had recorded six consecutive victories. The subsequent results cost the club its place at the top of the Bundesliga standings, although it remained second on points level with Bayern Munich, according to BVB Buzz.

Dortmund also stood 18th in the Champions League standings after its defeat in Norway left the team unable to add to its three points from the opening two matches. The trip to Azerbaijan is another away assignment during a congested schedule. Kovac rejected suggestions that the recent results amounted to a crisis, pointing to the difference between the club's current position and its situation when he took charge in February 2025.

Speaking in Baku, he highlighted Dortmund's league standing and argued that the recent performances should be considered in context. "When we arrived back then, we were eleventh. You can’t compare the two.

We’re second, level on points with Bayern. I can put that into perspective. We dominated Bremen, had an unfortunate 2–2 draw, and now against Union it was a clear 0–0 game.

What we’re not entirely happy with are the results. Two draws and one defeat, but I’m not making a big deal out of it." Kovac said, according to BVB Buzz.

The Dortmund manager also expressed confidence that his squad could respond quickly despite the demanding schedule. He had signed a contract extension through June 2029 shortly before the team's recent run of disappointing results.

"The team has the quality to turn things round as early as tomorrow, and I’m convinced of that. So, I’ll stick to it: read nothing. That’s the easiest and best way to go about it." Kovac said, according to BVB Buzz.