Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal met in the first jornada of the Champions League league phase today, and the match came with one clear piece of history attached: Villarreal's only previous official meeting with Dortmund ended in a 4-0 defeat last season.
That result frames this opener in a simple way. Dortmund arrived in strong form and wanted to carry that run into the Champions League, while Villarreal came in with doubts after a shaky start to the season and only two points from 12 possible in their early league matches.
What the history says
Last season's 4-0 scoreline was the only previous official meeting between the clubs, so Villarreal had a straightforward reminder of the challenge in front of it. The source also notes that Villarreal's participation last season was disappointing overall, with the team eliminated at the first hurdle and finishing with one point in eight matches.
This season's target is different. Villarreal is aiming to finish among the top 24, which makes every league-phase match matter from the start. An opening game against Dortmund was never likely to feel comfortable, especially with Dortmund entering in better form.
Where both teams stood coming in
On Dortmund's side, the main theme was momentum. The team had started well and wanted to extend that run into Europe. Villarreal, by contrast, was looking for a reset after a difficult opening stretch and a run that left more questions than answers.
The match also arrived on a day when Villarreal's Youth League team beat Dortmund 2-3, adding another layer to the broader matchup between the clubs. But the senior Champions League meeting was the one that carried the real significance, especially with both teams beginning their league-phase campaign.
Simone Sozza refereed the match, after also overseeing Brujas - Monaco and Benfica - Leverkusen in last season's league phase. Villarreal head coach Iñigo Pérez selected a starting XI that included Gulacsi in goal.
For Villarreal, the task was as much about restoring confidence as it was about collecting points. For Dortmund, it was an early chance to show that domestic form could translate cleanly onto the Champions League stage.
