Borussia Dortmund are carrying genuine momentum into the early weeks of the 2026/27 season, but a mounting injury list means Niko Kovac is already managing significant squad concerns alongside the encouraging results. A 2-0 Bundesliga win over Hamburg on matchday one was followed by a commanding 5-0 DFB-Pokal victory against HEBC Hamburg, leaving BVB fifth in the table with three points from one league game. The mood around the club is positive, yet the shadow of serious injuries is hard to ignore.

The most disruptive blow came when summer signing Giannis Konstantelias, who scored on his Bundesliga debut against Hamburg, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in that same match and will miss several months. Dortmund moved quickly, securing Arsenal's 19-year-old Ethan Nwaneri on a season-long loan as cover, though the deal contains a January recall clause that gives Arsenal the right to end the arrangement early. Captain Emre Can and defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck remain long-term absentees, and both have been left out of the Champions League squad registered for the new campaign. Youngster Samuele Inacio also faces a two-match suspension after a red card on the opening day.

Off the pitch, sporting director Ole Book completed his first transfer window with considerable praise from supporters. Seven players arrived for around 110 million euros, the wage bill was cut significantly, and the club expects deferred payments from previous sales, including the Jude Bellingham and Jamie Gittens deals, to bring in roughly 120 million euros in the coming years. The club faces Hoffenheim away today before a home fixture against Paderborn and the start of their Champions League campaign against Villarreal next week.