Borussia Dortmund has voiced frustration over the recently announced Bundesliga schedule, which will see them face a particularly short winter break. The German Football League (DFL) revealed the dates and kick-off times for the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga through January, and Dortmund is not pleased with the fixtures.
The Black and Yellows will play their final match of 2024 against Wolfsburg on December 22, followed by their first game of 2025 against Leverkusen on January 10. This gives them just 19 days for their winter break — the shortest break of any Bundesliga club.
Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, expressed disappointment with the scheduling, highlighting the difficulty of the situation, especially as the team is currently grappling with an injury crisis.
“It’s hard for us to accept that we have the shortest winter break of all Bundesliga clubs,” Kehl told Bild. “Scheduling the game in Wolfsburg for the latest kick-off time on the matchday and then starting the new year against Leverkusen on Friday makes our break even shorter.”
This decision has left the club’s management concerned about player recovery and preparation heading into the new year, particularly with key players out injured. Dortmund will now have to contend with a tight turnaround during an already challenging period.
