Football is weird. Honestly, if you just looked at the bank accounts and the trophy cabinets, Borussia Dortmund should steamroll FC Augsburg every single time they meet. But as any Bundesliga fan will tell you, the trip to the WWK Arena is basically a trap. It's loud, it's cramped, and the grass always seems just a bit more "difficult" for the big teams.
Most people assume this is a foregone conclusion. BVB is currently sitting in 2nd place as of January 2026, chasing a relentless Bayern Munich side. Meanwhile, Augsburg is hovering dangerously near the bottom, languishing in 15th with only 15 points from 17 matches. On paper? It’s a mismatch. In reality? It’s a physical, yellow-card-heavy grind that usually leaves someone limping.
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The Last Time Out: A 1-0 Narrow Escape
Remember the meeting back in October? It wasn't pretty. Dortmund escaped with a 1-0 win, and the only reason they got the three points was a 37th-minute strike from Serhou Guirassy.
Augsburg didn't just roll over. They racked up four yellow cards (Giannoulis, Rexhbecaj, Rieder, and Tietz all went into the book) trying to kick the rhythm out of Dortmund’s midfield. That’s the Augsburg DNA. They aren't here to play "Joga Bonito." They are here to make you hate every minute of the ninety.
Why the FC Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund Matchup is a Tactical Headache
Dortmund under Niko Kovač—who took over the reins to bring some defensive stability—has been more pragmatic. They aren't the "all-out attack" chaos machine of years past. They’ve conceded only 15 goals in 18 games this season, which is actually quite impressive for a club that used to treat defending as an optional hobby.
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The Augsburg "Wall"
Sandro Wagner has his Augsburg side playing a very specific brand of "suffering." They play a low block that forces Dortmund to circulate the ball endlessly. If you’re Gregor Kobel, you’re basically a spectator for 80 minutes, but then you have to make a world-class save on a counter-attack from someone like Mert Kömür or Phillip Tietz.
- Borussia Dortmund's form: 11-6-1 (39 points).
- FC Augsburg's form: 4-3-10 (15 points).
- The xG factor: Interestingly, in their last few meetings, Augsburg’s expected goals (xG) at home actually rivals Dortmund’s. They create high-quality chances on the break.
Personnel Problems and the Injury List
You can’t talk about FC Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund without looking at the treatment room. It’s a bit of a mess for both sides right now.
Augsburg is hurting. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw has been out with a serious medial ligament injury, and his absence is the main reason their defense has looked like Swiss cheese lately. They’ve conceded 33 goals so far—the second-worst record in the league. Without their captain, the backline lacks a "general."
Dortmund isn't exactly at full strength either. Aarón Anselmino is dealing with a hamstring issue, and Niklas Süle has been in and out of the squad with a persistent toe injury. When Süle is missing, the transition from defense to midfield gets sluggish.
The "Fuggerstädter" Curse
There is a genuine psychological element here. Dortmund has a weird habit of dropping points in these small-stadium away games right when they need to keep pressure on Bayern.
In the 2025/26 season, BVB has been a beast at the Signal Iduna Park (7-2-0), but away from home? They are 4-4-1. That’s four draws on the road. Augsburg knows this. They know if they can frustrate Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi for the first 20 minutes, the Dortmund "frustration" kicks in. The passes get shorter. The players start complaining to the ref. The crowd gets louder.
What to Expect Next
If you're betting on or just watching the next installment of this rivalry, don't expect a 5-0 blowout. Expect a lot of fouls. Augsburg currently leads the league in yellow cards (46), while Dortmund is much more disciplined.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Nico Schlotterbeck vs. Phillip Tietz: This is going to be a wrestling match. Tietz is a handful in the air, and Schlotterbeck will need to keep his cool.
- Serhou Guirassy vs. Finn Dahmen: Guirassy is clinical, but Dahmen has a history of standing on his head against BVB. He made several massive saves in their last encounter to keep the score respectable.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the first 15 minutes: Augsburg usually tries to "set the tone" with a heavy tackle early on. If they get an early booking, it changes their ability to press.
- Keep an eye on the wings: Dortmund’s wing-backs, like Yan Couto, are the real engines. If Augsburg’s wingers (Giannoulis and Kade) can pin them back, Dortmund’s attack becomes very narrow and easy to defend.
- The "Late Show": Dortmund has scored a significant chunk of their goals in the final 15 minutes this season. Augsburg's fitness often drops off around the 75th minute because of their high-intensity defensive style.
Basically, if you’re looking for a tactical masterclass, you might be disappointed. But if you want a gritty, high-stakes battle where a relegation-threatened underdog tries to punch a title contender in the mouth, this is the game for you. Keep an eye on the lineup announcements—if Gouweleeuw isn't back for Augsburg, it's going to be a long night for their fans.
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Check the official Bundesliga app for the confirmed XI roughly 60 minutes before kickoff, as Kovač has been known to tinker with his midfield at the last second.