Niko Kovac has warned his Borussia Dortmund players that there are no easy games in the Bundesliga, as they host Paderborn following their midweek win in Europe.

Having opened their Champions League campaign with an entertaining 3-2 success against Villarreal, Dortmund are now looking to maintain their perfect Bundesliga start this weekend.

They beat Hamburg 2-0 and Hoffenheim 3-2 in their opening two matches of 2026-27, with Augsburg, Freiburg and minnows Elversberg being the only other teams with six points.

BVB have never lost in seven competitive matches against Paderborn (W5 D2), scoring 28 goals at an average of four per game.

But Kovac insists his team will face a stern test, particularly off the back of their midweek exertions. 

"Of course, you drain yourself physically, but also mentally," Kovac said. "Now it's about regaining mental focus immediately so we can switch gears back to the Bundesliga. 

"We're playing at home and want to win – that's our goal. But there are no easy games in the Bundesliga. You have to play them in a way that puts you right in the game from the start. 

"That's why I want my lads to come out strong from the first minute and get our fans back behind us as quickly as possible, so we can play successful football."

Dortmund will be without Konstantinos Karetsas after he was forced off against Villarreal due to circulatory problems, but Kovac will have two key defenders available.

Nico Schlotterbeck has not featured yet in 2026-27 after suffering a medial ankle ligament tear while representing Germany at the World Cup, while Ramy Bensebaini has only played once this campaign due to a rib issue.

Asked about the duo's availability, Kovac said: "They're fit, healthy, and ready to play this weekend. I can count on both of them."

Having won promotion back to the Bundesliga last term, Paderborn have one point on the board but are yet to score, drawing 0-0 with Mainz and losing 1-0 to Freiburg. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Borussia Dortmund – Serhou Guirassy 

Guirassy has scored in four consecutive Bundesliga matches for Dortmund for the second time, having previously netted in eight in a row between April and September 2025. 

The striker has scored against 16 of the 18 current Bundesliga sides, failing to score only against Paderborn and Elversberg – though he has never faced either in the top-flight. 

Paderborn – Laurin Curda 

Curda has contested 36 duels in the Bundesliga this season and has won 23 – both league-high figures. 

The last player to win as many duels in their first two Bundesliga appearances was Jonas Wind in February 2022 (he won 24).

MATCH PREDICTION: BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund have started a Bundesliga season with two wins for the first time since 2022-23.

The last time they enjoyed a longer winning streak at the start of a campaign was in 2015-16 under Thomas Tuchel, starting with five straight victories on that occasion.

Paderborn, meanwhile, are winless in 17 Bundesliga matches across two seasons (D6 L11), the longest current run in the league and a club record. 

Conversely, BVB are on the longest current winning streak in the division, triumphing in four consecutive matches dating back to last season.

In their third Bundesliga season, Paderborn have failed to score in their opening two matches for the first time; only Schalke and Hamburg are also still waiting for their first league goal this term. 

Paderborn are also the only team in the league to have created just one big chance so far, so it is understandable that Dortmund are overwhelming favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Borussia Dortmund – 71.5%

Paderborn – 11.8%

Draw – 16.7%