Bundesliga
After Lukas Piszczek and Marcel Schmelzer, Achraf Hakimi and Raphaël Guerreiro - Borussia Dortmund are no stranger to a frightening full-back combination, and it looks like they’ve found the next duo to pick up that gauntlet.
Daniel Svensson and Yan Couto have been in sensational form in the early stages of this season, playing a key role in Dortmund’s formidable start to 2025/26 that has seen them go unbeaten in their first nine games in all competitions.
The early season form of Niko Kovač’s side has been defined by intensity in both the attacking and defensive thirds, with BVB conceding the second-fewest number of goals in the Bundesliga (4) and scoring the joint-third most (12).
Watch: Dortmund on the right track
Svensson has been ever-present in both boxes, evidenced by his league-high of 75 kilometres covered so far, as well as leading the way in terms of intensive runs with 546. He's also averaged a good 18 sprints per 90 minutes, with Couto averaging 16.
In their away trip to Mainz on Matchday 5, Svensson ended a lung-bursting break forward with the opening goal of their 2-0 win, before helping them see out a fourth consecutive clean sheet.
He hasn’t just been leading by example with his endless running either, having recorded a team-best of eight passes leading to shots and encapsulating the full-throttle style implemented by Kovač since his arrival.
Watch: Daniel Svensson's goal vs. Mainz
“He’s a Duracell bunny. He reminds me a bit of Joshua Kimmich,” said the Dortmund boss on Svensson’s energetic performances. “He also plays every game and runs 12 or 13 kilometres … it shows how tireless these guys are and how they march on without end.”
His colleague on the other side of the defence has recorded seven passes leading to shots, and is level with his Swedish teammate when it comes to goal contributions having netted twice this season. Couto’s sweeping finish to level the scores against RB Leipzig was his first league goal, with the Brazilian also slamming home Dortmund’s third goal in their wild 4-4 draw with Juventus in the Champions League.
Watch: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 RB Leipzig highlights
Dortmund then offered a strong response to surrendering their lead late on in Turin by putting four past Athletic Bilbao in a dominant 4-1 win, of which Svensson got the first goal. Couto also assisted the first of the side’s three goals in their win over Union Berlin, which sparked their rich run of form on Matchday 2.
The Brazilian’s form has seen him turn around a difficult start to life in Germany after making just eight starts in the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign following his arrival from Manchester City last summer. He’s already made five starts this season and is slowly proving to be a key cog in this well-oiled Dortmund machine.
"I knew that the first season wouldn't be easy,” explained Couto on his initial struggles. “I also knew that I wouldn't be at my best straight away. A new country, a different language, I was injured twice".
Alongside his full-back partner, Couto has provided vital drive and creativity from the flanks in Kovač’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system and has certainly made up for lost time.
High-scoring games, European thrillers and a battle with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table – this Dortmund side are reminiscent of squads gone by in more ways than one, and both Svensson and Couto have had a big hand in them getting back to their best.
They’ve scored three or more goals in four games already this season, but have simultaneously showcased their ability to shut up shop, recording clean sheets in four of six league games.
Up next for the Black-Yellows is a huge Klassiker clash at the Allianz Arena on Matchday 7, which will be the biggest threat yet to Kovač & Co.’s unbeaten start.