Dortmund chase European double as Kovac sounds Bodo/Glimt warning

Borussia Dortmund make the long trip to the Arctic Circle on Wednesday for their Champions League Matchday 2 clash with Bodo/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion, and head coach Niko Kovac is leaving nothing to chance against a side he describes as genuine giant-killers.

Dortmund opened their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win over Villarreal, and Kovac insists his players are confident of making it two wins from two. "We know it's going to be a really intense game for us. But we're feeling confident and believe we have what it takes to win the game," he said. "Nothing is easy, though, especially not in the Champions League."

The warning is rooted in Bodo/Glimt's recent European pedigree. Kovac highlighted the Norwegian champions' run to the Champions League round of 16 last season — when they dumped Serie A giants Inter out in the play-off round — as a reminder of the threat that awaits in northern Norway.

"They're especially dangerous in the final third. They're a team that's been playing under the same coach for many years," Kovac said. "They're doing really well, especially at home. They've beaten some big-name teams here, and many have seen how difficult it is to play here."

A tough run of form

Dortmund arrive in less than perfect shape. A 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen last Friday ended their 100% start to the Bundesliga season. More concerning is their recent European travel record: BVB have lost their last three away games in the Champions League, and another defeat in Aspmyra would equal their longest away losing streak in the competition's history (four losses, previously between 1956-1958 and 2019-2020).

Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, were thumped 5-0 by Bayern Munich on Matchday 1 (2026-09-11), with Michael Olise scoring twice and Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies also on target against a resilient first-half display from goalkeeper Nikita Haikin. The Norwegian side's last two Champions League outings have both ended in five-goal defeats — the last team to lose three consecutive European Cup/Champions League matches by 5+ goals was Maltese side Rabat Ajax in September 1986.

Despite that, Bodo/Glimt will fancy their chances on home soil. They are yet to beat a German side in Europe (D2 L2 in four meetings), but the only previous encounter with Dortmund ended in a 1-1 draw in Germany in December 2025.

Defensive concern for Kovac

Kovac must plan without centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who was omitted from the travelling squad despite featuring against Bremen after returning early from international duty with an injury. The decision was a precautionary one.

"After his injury with the national team, we got him back quickly. He played in the last game," Kovac explained. "But this match isn't ideal for his ankle. We discussed with the medical staff that he will not be playing."

The Dortmund boss confirmed a boost elsewhere, with both Julian Ryerson and Carney Chukwuemeka available for selection.

One statistical crumb of comfort for the visitors: of the teams to appear in the last two Champions League editions (2025-26 and 2026-27), Dortmund boast the competition's highest shot conversion rate at 19.5% (25 goals from 128 shots) — though with Schlotterbeck absent, that defensive resilience will be tested in the Arctic.