After making a run to last season’s Champions League final, Borussia Dortmund have once again showcased their best form in the competition this season, winning four of their five matches so far.
By Graham Ruthven
Two of the best goalscoring sides in the competition
While Nuri Şahin has come under pressure for Dortmund’s stuttering form in the Bundesliga, the Black and Yellows have scored goals for fun in the Champions League, registering wins over Club Brugge, Celtic, Sturm Graz and Dinamo Zagreb.
Only one team has scored more goals than Dortmund in this season’s Champions League and that’s Barcelona who have netted an eye-catching 18 goals in just five games.
Recently, though, Hansi Flick’s team have looked vulnerable. Barca have won just one of their last five matches in LaLiga matches with their latest misstep coming against Real Betis on Saturday when the Catalans were pegged back late on in a 2-2 draw.
Flick’s high-intensity, high-risk approach has made Barcelona the most entertaining team in Europe this season, but it has also made them vulnerable to opponents who attack them directly.
This match-up could be a good one for Dortmund with their attack geared towards getting into open space. Barca will give them plenty of space to exploit.
Potential match winners
Jamie Gittens continues to grow in stature for Borussia Dortmund. The English winger has scored in each of his last four matches and is quickly becoming the Bundesliga giants’ most reliable attacking difference-maker – as discussed in a profile piece on Gittens that we published here this week.
Felix Nmecha is also in a rich vein of form and will give Dortmund plenty of dynamism in central midfield. He will have to maintain his positional discipline against a Barcelona team that will try to play around the Dortmund midfield.
Nico Schlotterbeck will be an important figure for the hosts on Tuesday night. The 25-year-old is generally the defender charged with getting Dortmund out from the back and that will be particularly significant against Barcelona’s high press.
Lamine Yamal is back from injury for Barca and has picked up where he left off by registering assists in his last two matches. The teenager remains the most reliable creative force for Flick’s team.
Robert Lewandowski has been sharp in front of goal this season, netting a tournament high seven goals in just five Champions League outings. He will be a good bet to find the back of the net against his former club.
Team news
Waldermar Anton and Niklas Süle will both miss the match against Barcelona, meaning Emre Can might be set to step into central defence as an emergency option.
Maximilian Beier and Julian Brandt are also expected to be sidelined for the visit of the Catalans, although Karim Adeyemi could feature, even if it’s off the bench in the role of an impact sub.
Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo and Ansu Fati have recently returned to training for Barcelona, but aren’t expected to feature at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday with Flick reluctant to rush them back.
Dani Olmo is expected to keep his place in the Barcelona lineup, although it’s possible Frenkie de Jong could start in central midfield with Pedri pushed into a more advanced role where he can have an influence around the box.
Prediction
We’re expecting goals but it is a tough one to call, so we’re go for an entertaining score draw: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Barcelona
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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