Copenhagen vs Dortmund: Crucial Champions League Clash – Who Will Emerge from Slump?
On October 21, 2025, Copenhagen will host German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund at Parken Stadium in a pivotal UEFA Champions League League Phase encounter. Copenhagen enters the match in poor form and grappling with numerous injuries, while Dortmund is eager to rebound from a recent Bundesliga defeat and regain winning momentum in Europe.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This is a crucial encounter in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League League Phase. Copenhagen secured their spot in the Champions League League Phase by winning the 2024/25 Danish Superliga, navigating through qualifying rounds [14, 18, 32]. Borussia Dortmund also qualified for this season's Champions League League Phase, despite earlier projections in February suggesting only a 5.1% chance of qualification [16, 37]. For both teams, this League Phase match will significantly impact their standing within the group and their aspirations for advancing to the knockout stages [22, 33, 40].
Recent Form
Copenhagen has been struggling with recent form. As of October 17, 2025, they suffered a 1-3 defeat to Silkeborg in the Danish Superliga, and their sole Champions League point came from a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen. They are currently winless in their last three matches, raising concerns about their overall performance [11, 23, 31]. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, recently fell to a 1-2 defeat against arch-rivals Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker, snapping a nine-match unbeaten run. Despite this setback, Dortmund maintains a very strong record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in the Bundesliga, placing them fourth in the league and underscoring their overall strength [11, 33, 43].
Key Players & Injury News
Copenhagen is grappling with significant injury concerns, which have severely impacted the team's performance. Key right-back Rodrigo Huescas is out for the season due to a serious knee injury. Midfielders Magnus Mattsson, Andreas Cornelius, and Thomas Delaney are also sidelined with various ailments [11, 15, 19, 20]. These absences will undoubtedly weaken the squad. For Borussia Dortmund, experienced operator Emre Can is still recovering from a groin problem. Additionally, Julien Duranville (dislocated shoulder) and Aarón Anselmino (muscular problems) are also out [11, 12, 41]. Both teams will rely on their key players, such as Copenhagen's Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jordan Larsson, and Dortmund's Julian Brandt and Serhou Guirassy, to mitigate the impact of these injuries [11, 25, 46, 47].