Mats Hummels Warns Dortmund Could Miss Champions League Top Eight
Mats Hummels has cast doubt on Borussia Dortmund finishing in the Champions League’s top eight, warning that an unexpected draw could derail their push for direct qualification to the last 16.
Hummels and Kramer split on Dortmund’s prospects
Before Dortmund’s home opener against Villarreal, Christoph Kramer backed BVB to secure one of the eight automatic knockout-round places. Hummels, however, took the opposite view.
- Kramer believes Dortmund can avoid the knockout play-off round and reach the last 16 directly.
- Hummels said he does not expect the Black and Yellows to finish inside the leading eight.
- The former Germany international warned that Dortmund may not get the surprise victory needed and could instead suffer an unplanned draw.
“I’m worried BVB will not make the top eight,” Hummels said. “If the argument is that they need a surprise win, I think an unexpected draw is more probable. I cannot see them among the first eight.”
How the Champions League league phase works
The competition is using its 36-team league format for a third season. Every club plays eight league-phase games against opponents drawn from different seeding groups.
- The top eight qualify automatically for the round of 16.
- Clubs ranked from ninth through 24th enter a two-leg play-off for the other eight last-16 berths.
- The 12 teams at the foot of the standings are knocked out.
Dortmund’s recent play-off record
Dortmund have needed the play-off route in each of the first two editions of the revised tournament. They finished 10th on one occasion and 17th on the other.
One of those play-off campaigns ended with BVB progressing, while Atalanta eliminated them last season.
What comes next for BVB
After Villarreal, Dortmund still have seven league-phase fixtures to play:
- FK Bodö/Glimt
- Sabah FK
- Real Betis
- Arsenal
- Inter Milan
- Aston Villa
- AEK Athens
