Match Preview: Dortmund Host Freiburg as Second Place Race Heats Up

STUTTGART, GERMANY - APRIL 23: Maximilian Eggestein of SC Freiburg (C No 8) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the DFB Cup semifinal match between VfB Stuttgart and Sport-Club Freiburg at MHPArena on April 23, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) | Getty Images Remember months ago when Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich and we all thought “I guess Dortmund will be second place in the Bundesliga once again”? Unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund, the ‘first place loser’s medal’ is now hotly contested.

After RB Leipzig’s win against Union Berlin on Saturday, Dortmund enter Sunday’s game against Freiburg with only a two point advantage. Niko Kovac will need his side to snap their two game losing streak and get the job done at home against Freiburg to keep distance from the chasing bulls. For Dortmund, this game presents a need for professionalism to finish out their remaining campaign with little to play for except pride… and second place.

For Freiburg, however, Sunday’s match represents the second match in a key three game spell. On Wednesday, Freiburg fell to VfL Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal and will begin their Europa League semifinals on Thursday against Braga in Portugal. Freiburg currently find themselves outside of the Bundesliga’s European places and may use Sunday’s match as an opportunity to rotate during their season’s climatic push.

Regardless of Freiburg’s rotation, Dortmund will be heavily favored here and have no excuses if they fail to win in front of the Yellow Wall. Player to Watch: Johan Manzambi 20-year-old Swiss midfielder, Johan Manzambi, is having a break out season in the Black Forest. The defensive midfielder has proven himself to be the key man in Freiburg’s midfield on both sides of the ball.