Borussia Dortmund are enduring a difficult stretch, with three consecutive games without a win casting a shadow over what had been a promising start to the season. The 0-0 draw at Union Berlin on Saturday extended that run, following the damaging 0-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League and a 2-2 collapse against Werder Bremen in which the club led by two goals with ten minutes to play. Niko Kovac, who recently extended his contract until 2029, was openly critical after the Bodø/Glimt loss, admitting his side had "not existed" until the 52nd minute. The mood has not improved since.

The injury situation is adding to the pressure. Konstantinos Karetsas, one of the club's most dynamic attacking players, has been confirmed with ankle ligament damage sustained against Union Berlin and will miss the Champions League trip to Sabah FK in Baku and the Bundesliga home game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Nico Schlotterbeck, managed carefully in Norway due to an existing ankle concern, returned to the squad for Berlin but the defensive depth is being tested, with Filippo Mane and Luca Reggiani both sent to play for the reserve team rather than named in the matchday squad.

Despite the wobble, BVB remain second in the Bundesliga with 14 points from six games, level with Bayern Munich at the top. The trip to Baku on Tuesday offers a chance to reset in Europe before the challenges ahead.