Injury Storm Halts Dortmund-Inter Showdown: Who Advances in Europe?
27 January 2026
Match Preview and Team News
Borussia Dortmund will travel to face Inter Milan with Niclas Zule and Marcel Sabitzer sidelined due to injuries, in the eighth and final group-stage fixture of the UEFA Champions League.
Kovac explained at a press conference that Zule and Sabitzer remain sidelined by health problems, joining left-back Daniel Svenson, who is suspended.
He added that the pair cannot take part because of ongoing health issues, while Daniel Svenson serves a suspension, leaving Dortmund short-handed but confident in a capable squad.
Dortmund sit 16th with 11 points, still able to advance directly to the top eight if results go their way.
Inter, one point ahead in 14th, also has a path to the last-eight with a win.
The top eight teams progress automatically to the knockout rounds; the next eight enter a February two-legged playoff, adding more matches to an already crowded schedule.
Kovac, whose team currently sits second in the Bundesliga, said, "The level in the Champions League is exceptional; tomorrow we face a side that has reached finals in the last three years."
He continued, "We must defend well and also seize chances in attack. Our stadium is strong and buzzing, and we expect a full crowd just over 81,000 on Wednesday."
He concluded: "We must play ninety minutes with energy and dynamism, we want to win, and we'll see what happens in the end. Inter also has a goal and could reach the quarterfinals more easily with a victory."
Punchline 1: If injuries were a tactic, Dortmund would win the league by default.
Punchline 2: This match might be decided by time—the sniper’s clock never misses stoppage time.
