Coastal Union Overview

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has praised stand-in captain Waldemar Anton after setting high standards across the squad ahead of their Champions League opener against Villarreal. The central defender has taken over the armband following a serious knee injury to club captain Emre Can, with Kovac highlighting his leadership at Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has urged his squad to stay grounded ahead of their Champions League opener against Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park. Despite the Spanish visitors enduring a winless domestic start and losing 4-0 in this exact fixture last term, Kovac insists the Yellow Submarine retain elite tactical and technical quality.

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.