Borussia Dortmund secured the final UEFA Champions League berth for the 2025/26 season with a commanding 3-0 win over already-relegated Holstein Kiel on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The victory at Signal Iduna Park capped off a remarkable turnaround under head coach Niko Kovač, who took over in February when the team was languishing in 11th place. Dortmund’s late-season surge saw them finish fourth in the Bundesliga with 57 points, two ahead of Freiburg, who lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on the final day.
Match Summary
Dortmund wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the third minute, Serhou Guirassy converted a penalty, marking his 21st goal in his debut season with the club. Guirassy’s prolific scoring has been instrumental in Dortmund’s resurgence .
Holstein Kiel’s woes deepened when defender Carl Johansson received a red card in the first half, reducing the visitors to ten men. Dortmund capitalized on the numerical advantage in the second half, with Marcel Sabitzer doubling the lead and Felix Nmecha sealing the victory with a third goal .
Kovač’s Impact
Niko Kovač’s appointment in February marked a turning point for Dortmund. Under his guidance, the team amassed 22 points from a possible 24 in their final eight matches—a feat hailed as one of the greatest coaching achievements in the club’s history. Club officials and players alike have praised Kovač for instilling discipline and clarity, transforming a faltering season into a triumphant one.
What’s Next
With Champions League qualification secured, Dortmund can now focus on preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States this June. The team’s late-season form provides a solid foundation for the challenges ahead, both domestically and in Europe.
As the Bundesliga season concludes, Dortmund’s remarkable comeback stands as a testament to resilience and effective leadership, offering fans renewed hope for the future.
