LIVE Borussia Dortmund – Inter » Istvan Kovacs referees Chivu in the decisive match for qualification to the round of 16

Inter needs a win in this game to reach the Top 8, but it also depends on the other results. Istvan Kovacs was delegated to the center of the match at the Dortmund stadium.

LIVE » Borussia Dortmund – Inter 0-0

• Min. 16: Bisseck missed a double chance for Inter

• Min. 14: Federico Dimarco had the first shot on target for Inter following a counter attack

• Min. 11: Guirassy missed a huge opportunity! He was alone with Sommer inside the box but missed the execution completely

• Min. 9: Borussia Dortmund is the more offensive team in the opening minutes.

• Game start!

The starting teams at Borussia Dortmund – Inter

Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1): Kobel – Can, Schlotterbeck, F. Mane – Ryerson, Nmecha, Jobe Bellingham, Bensebaini – Beier, Fabio Silva – Guirassy
reserves: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Yan Couto, J. Brandt, Chukwuemeka, Adeyemi
Coach: Niko Kovac

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer – Bisseck, Acerbi, Akanji – Luis Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco – Thuram, Bonny
reserves: Di Gennaro, J.Martinez, De Vrij, L. Martinez, Frattesi, Diouf, Carlos Augusto, Darmian, Cocchi, Bovo, P. Esposito, Bastoni
Coach: Cristian Chivu

Referee: Istvan Kovacs
Stadium: BVB Stadion Dortmund (Dortmund)

UPDATE 21:30 | VIDEO. The players came out to warm up

È IL NOSTRO MOMENTO 👊@qatarairways pic.twitter.com/smdrWxac7C

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) January 28, 2026

UPDATE 20:15 It's raining in Dortmund! The photos published on the official account of those from Inter

UPDATE 18:30 | Important absence for Borussia Dortmund: Waldemar Anton is OUT

Niko Kovac has serious defensive problems. After it was learned yesterday that Niklas Sule cannot play due to back problems, now Waldemar Anton has been removed from the team due to an infection, according to the German media.

In the line of defenders, Nico Schlotterbeck is expected alongside Emre Can and Ramy Bensebaini. Aaron Anselmino was recalled by Chelsea, so Kovac cannot rely on him. Marcel Sabitzer is injured, Daniel Svensson is suspended.

The standings in the Champions League

Decisive match for qualification to the round of 16

Despite defeats last week, both Borussia Dortmund and Inter are on course for a place in the knockout stages of the competition, with Dortmund still on 11 points, one behind this week's visitors. The 2-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur dented the Germans' hopes of automatic qualification for the last 16, dropping them to 16th in the table with a game remaining.

Cristian Chivu's side will go into the last match of the championship stage on the back of three consecutive defeats in the Champions League, having previously won their first four matches. With the Nerazzurri having lost just three of their last 27 matches, they will be keen to end the negative run.

• Inter were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at the San Siro last week, dropping to 14th in the table, but have already secured a place in the playoffs and are still in the top eight.

Cristian ChivuInter's coach prefaced the game in Germany:

“It's not easy in this stadium, given the energy [spectatorii] I pass it on to the team. When they play at home they have energy, they have individual quality, they have an identity that Kovac has given them: they play more dominantly, they are good in transitions, they have good mobility in attack. It won't be easy. They have problems, like all teams, but they are working on them.”

What Niko Kovac, the BVB coach, said about the match with Inter: “In the past Inter dominated in terms of possession, but now they have adapted and added a quick transition to the game. We have to be aware of that. They usually say that teams in Italy play on the grass, they are more technical but a bit slower. At the moment we have a very dynamic and modern Inter.”