3-0 against FC Brugge and 7-1 against Celtic Glasgow – BVB’s CL results so far make impressive reading. Now, with Real, a different caliber awaits Dortmund, and their flawless record is in danger. However, Borussia presented itself as bloodless against the CL record winner with David Alaba, who is still injured, as in the previous unsuccessful Bundesliga away games in Bremen (0:0), Stuttgart (1:5) and at Union Berlin (1:2). , you’re in for a rude awakening.
Despite the unfavorable omens, Kehl hopes that the team will show a different face. “I definitely don’t see us without a chance. We showed that in the final a few weeks ago,” said the sports director, referring to the long open final (0-2) at Wembley at the beginning of June. The special atmosphere in the Bernabeu is intended to bring Borussia back to life. “Real is the biggest club in the world. We have already fought big battles there,” said Kehl. “I believe that the team will approach the task with total commitment.”
Personnel problems
Coach Nuri Sahin played for the Royals in the 2011/12 season; he knows what power they can develop at home. In order to be well prepared, he says he watched “one or two Real games” on video during the last international break. However, the 36-year-old is more concerned about the personnel situation in his own team than the Spaniards’ combination skills: “We only have a few players at the moment,” complained Sahin.
The offensive forces Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville and Giovanni Reyna are missing, as is right-back Yan Couto. The appearances of pace setter Pascal Groß and defensive veteran Niklas Süle are uncertain. Both took part in the final training session, but are unlikely to be available for 90 minutes. In addition, regular goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was missing from the last session before departure.
It could be an advantage for Borussia that the second-placed team in the Spanish league is under more pressure. After the surprising 0-1 loss on the second matchday in Lille, a home win is a must for the title favorites. Star striker Kylian Mbappe returned in time in the league game at Celta Vigo on Saturday and scored the goal to make it 1-0 in a 2-1 win.
PSG under pressure
Paris Saint-Germain, who recently lost 2-0 to Arsenal, also cannot afford a slip-up. Coach Luis Enrique warned against the guests from PSV Eindhoven. “It will be hard for us. They play far from their goal and press well,” said the Spaniard about the Dutch. Although they only earned one point against Sporting Lisbon in the CL, they won all nine games at national level and scored 29 goals.
Arsenal is also not flawless, having only played 0-0 at Atalanta Bergamo at the start. The Gunners host Shakhtar Donetsk, Mikel Arteta’s team stumbled 2-0 at Bournemouth at the weekend. “We have to move on, take our pain and convert it into energy tomorrow night,” demanded the Spaniard.
