Al Jubail Overview

The road to Madrid begins this week as the league phase gets under way - but which teams are currently looking in the best shape to go on and lift the European Cup?

Borussia Dortmund produced a stunning second-half fightback from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory against Hoffenheim on Saturday. Head coach Niko Kovac acknowledged that his side was fortunate to secure all three points, but the spirited turnaround maintains Die Schwarzgelben's perfect start to the new Bundesliga campaign.

For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window once again proved to be exceptionally busy, with some huge names making big-money moves all the way up to Deadline Day on September 1.

Rising American winger Mathis Albert was the subject of loan interest during the summer transfer window, sources tell GOAL, but Borussia Dortmund opted to keep hold of the teenage starlet due to their plans for him with the first team. Albert made his professional debut for Dortmund last season and started for the club on Tuesday in the DFB-Pokal.