The two standout German teams from last season are on opposite trajectories as the pressure mounts in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen only managed a narrow 1-0 victory against Mainz on Tuesday, but that was enough to keep them close to leaders Bayern Munich. With the win, they are second in the standings,

Borussia Dortmund has slumped to a 4-2 loss at promoted Holstein Kiel. It piles the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin after the team’s worst opening half to the Bundesliga for 10 years.

Borussia Dortmund has slumped to a 4-2 loss at promoted Holstein Kiel. It piles the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin after the team's worst opening half to the Bundesliga for 10 years. Reported Manchester City target Omar Marmoush has starred again by scoring one goal and setting up another as Eintracht Frankfurt came from behind to beat Freiburg 4-1.

Borussia Dortmund's season is on the brink of collapse following their two defeats in two league games this year while coach Nuri Sahin is quickly running out of time to turn things around for last year's Champions League finalists.

Aston Villa has signed Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of 21 million pounds ($25.6 million).

Aston Villa bolstered their attacking options on Tuesday with the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund. "Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund,