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Red Card and 2–0 Defeat at Spurs Leave Dortmund Facing Play-Off Route

After a VAR-upgraded dismissal for Daniel Svensson and a desolate opening half, Dortmund head into next week’s Inter test needing a win to avoid the longer path.

Overview

  • Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke scored before the break as Tottenham capitalized on a one-man advantage to control a lopsided first half.
  • Daniel Svensson was sent off following a VAR review for a high challenge on Wilson Odobert in the 24th minute, leaving Dortmund a man down for over an hour.
  • The result keeps Dortmund on 11 points with one match left, making a top-eight finish — which grants direct last-16 entry — unlikely under UEFA’s new ligaphase format.
  • Niko Kovac has already tempered domestic ambitions toward securing a top-four league finish, with winter departures and Marcel Sabitzer’s absence exposing depth concerns.
  • On a difficult night for German clubs, Bayer Leverkusen also fell 0:2 at Olympiakos, underscoring a stuttering midseason for Bundesliga contenders.