On November 25, 2025, Borussia Dortmund delivered a statement performance, dismantling Villarreal CF 4-0 at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in Dortmund, Germany. The result wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Head coach Niko Kovac had laid out his mission before kickoff: "We want to win, that is our clear mission." And they did—dominantly, ruthlessly, and with a precision that exposed Villarreal’s fragility on the biggest stage.
A Mission Fulfilled on Home Soil
Just 24 hours before kickoff, Kovac confirmed the absence of key forward Maximilian Beier and defender Niklas Sule due to injury, raising questions about Dortmund’s attacking edge. But the response wasn’t panic—it was adaptation. With Samuel Udogie Couto and Jérémy Hérelle Svensson pushing high, Kovac shifted to a 3-4-2-1 formation that morphed into a 3-2-5 in attack. The system worked. Villarreal, who entered the match third in La Liga with 29 points, looked out of sync from the first whistle. Their Champions League campaign had been a disaster—just one point from four games, a 2-2 draw with Juventus their only highlight. They were out of rhythm. Dortmund, on the other hand, was hungry.
The Turning Point: Foyth’s Red Card
The match was tight until the 45+2nd minute, when Serhou Guirassy rose above the Villarreal defense to head home from a pinpoint cross. The goal silenced the doubters—and ignited the crowd of 81,365. But the real game-changer came in the 53rd minute. Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, desperate to stop a breakaway, deliberately handled the ball on the goal line. Referee Daniele Massa didn’t hesitate: straight red. The Spanish side, already struggling to control the tempo, suddenly had to play 90 minutes with 10 men. It was a death knell.
Guirassy didn’t wait. Just 60 seconds later, he was awarded a penalty after a foul by Álex Cardona. Though Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior saved the initial spot-kick, Guirassy pounced on the rebound and buried it. Two goals in 60 seconds. The game was over.
Karim Adeyemi: The Star Who Defies Controversy
While Guirassy stole the headlines, it was Karim Adeyemi who made the game sing. He was a constant threat, cutting inside from the right, drawing fouls, and ultimately being brought down by Cardona in the 82nd minute to earn a second penalty. Substitute Fabio Silva struck the crossbar, but the damage was done. Adeyemi’s pace, vision, and nerve were on full display. He finished the match with two key passes, three dribbles, and a relentless work rate that wore down Villarreal’s fullbacks.
Post-match, Kovac didn’t hold back: "He was already breaking through on the right-hand-side during the first half. That’s what he’s capable of... He’s a really absolute world class player." The praise was more than tactical—it was personal. Adeyemi, with five goals and three assists in 16 appearances this season, has faced off-field scrutiny, including a conviction for illegal weapons possession. But Kovac has never wavered. "It’s irrelevant to his football," he told reporters last month. And tonight, it was clear: the manager’s faith was justified.
A Legacy of Home Dominance
This win extended Dortmund’s remarkable home record in the Champions League. Since the start of the 2022-2023 season, they’ve lost just one of 18 home matches in the competition—against Barcelona in December 2024. Before this, their last home win in Europe had been a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City in October. That defeat had sparked doubts. This victory? It erased them.
Historically, Dortmund and Villarreal had never met in competitive play—only in friendlies (a 2-0 loss in 2022, a 2-2 draw in 2024). Tonight, the gap in ambition was undeniable. Villarreal’s squad, packed with experienced names like Dani Parejo and Idrissa Gueye, looked tired, disjointed. Dortmund’s young core—Udogie, Svensson, Adeyemi—looked like the future.
What Comes Next?
With this result, Dortmund leapfrogged Villarreal into 14th place in the Champions League group stage, keeping alive their slim hopes of advancing. They now face a critical run: home against RB Leipzig and away at Paris Saint-Germain. Kovac’s men are no longer just survivors—they’re contenders. And with Adeyemi firing, Guirassy clinical, and the defense tightening, the club feels like it’s finding its rhythm again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Borussia Dortmund’s lineup change without Beier and Sule?
Without Beier, Kovac shifted to a 3-4-2-1 formation, pushing wingers Udogie and Svensson into advanced roles to create width and overloads. In Sule’s absence, Manuel Akanji and Julian Ryerson formed a central duo with Emre Can dropping deeper. The system allowed for quicker transitions, which exploited Villarreal’s vulnerability after Foyth’s red card. Can, returning from injury, played 78 minutes and controlled the midfield with 89% pass accuracy.
Why was Villarreal so weak in the Champions League despite being strong in La Liga?
Villarreal’s La Liga form relies on defensive discipline and counterattacks, but in the Champions League, they’ve struggled against teams with superior pace and pressing. Against Dortmund, their midfield trio of Parejo, Gueye, and Veiga couldn’t handle the intensity. Their only point came against Juventus in a 2-2 draw—a result that exposed their inability to close out games under pressure. Their squad depth is thin, and key players like Chukwueze Akhomach were ineffective when brought on late.
What does Kovac’s praise of Adeyemi say about his leadership style?
Kovac’s public defense of Adeyemi—despite his legal issues—shows he prioritizes performance over perception. He’s not afraid to be controversial. In 2024, he similarly backed Julian Brandt during a personal scandal, saying, "Football is about talent, not tabloids." This approach has built loyalty in the dressing room. Adeyemi’s performance wasn’t just a goal—it was a vote of confidence in Kovac’s philosophy.
How significant is Dortmund’s home record in the Champions League?
Since 2022-2023, Dortmund have won 13 and drawn 4 of their 18 home Champions League matches, with only one loss (to Barcelona). Their average home attendance in the competition is over 80,000, creating one of Europe’s most intimidating atmospheres. Opponents average just 0.8 goals per game against them at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. This win against Villarreal was their sixth consecutive home victory in European competition, a streak last matched in 2016.
What impact did the 53rd-minute red card have on Villarreal’s tactics?
After Foyth’s dismissal, Villarreal switched to a 5-4-1, sacrificing attacking intent for survival. But Dortmund’s pressure was relentless—72% possession after the red card, 14 shots (9 on target) compared to Villarreal’s 4 (1 on target). Substitutes Rafa Marin and Chukwueze Navarro were thrown on too late to make an impact. Their lack of pace in wide areas made them easy prey for Udogie and Svensson, who combined for 11 crosses and 5 key passes in the final 30 minutes.
Is this win enough to guarantee Dortmund’s progression in the Champions League?
Not yet. Dortmund now have 7 points from 6 games, tied with Real Madrid and one behind leaders RB Leipzig. They must beat PSG away and hope for results elsewhere. But psychologically, this win shifts momentum. They’ve shown they can dominate top-tier European sides at home. With Adeyemi in form and Kovac’s tactics clicking, they’re no longer underdogs—they’re a team that believes they belong in the knockout stage.