What happened to Borussia Dortmund's trophy hopes this season?

Borussia Dortmund's hopes for winning a trophy ended earlier this week with their elimination from the Pokal competition.

How has TSG Hoffenheim improved under Christian Ilzer?

Under Christian Ilzer, Hoffenheim has won five of their last six league matches and is undefeated away from home.

Who is the key player for Hoffenheim this season?

Dutch defensive midfielder Wouter Burger is highlighted for his performance, with 3 goals and 5 assists in 13 games.

Home / Sports / Dortmund's Trophy Hopes Fade, Race for Second Heats Up

Dortmund's Trophy Hopes Fade, Race for Second Heats Up

6 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Borussia Dortmund's cup hopes ended, shifting focus to securing second place.
Hoffenheim, revitalized under coach Ilzer, are unbeaten away from home.
Midfielder Wouter Burger has been a standout performer with goals and assists.

Dortmund's Trophy Hopes Fade, Race for Second Heats Up

Borussia Dortmund's recent cup elimination has redefined their season goals, likely excluding any trophy wins. The team now appears to be in a strong competition for second place in the league, facing challenges from several other clubs.

TSG Hoffenheim, under the guidance of Christian Ilzer since November of last year, has undergone a significant transformation. They have emerged as one of the league's top-performing teams, having secured five wins in their last six matches. Notably, Hoffenheim shares the distinction of being undefeated away from home this season only with Bayern Munich.

Central to Hoffenheim's resurgence is Dutch defensive midfielder Wouter Burger. The 24-year-old has impressed with his tireless work rate and substantial offensive contributions, tallying three goals and five assists in 13 games across all competitions, making his 4 million euro transfer fee seem remarkably shrewd.