The Champions League returns this midweek, with some enticing fixtures in the Matchday 2 of this year’s campaign. The much-awaited clash between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will definitely be the focal point of this week’s CL fixtures. Second, only to Bayern v Arsenal, the iconic clash between Dortmund and Real, has been one of the most regular fixtures in the Champions League for the past five years or so.
Dortmund, this time, will host the defending champions Real Madrid at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to Spurs two weeks ago. Real Madrid on the other hand, are finding it difficult to find a rhythm early on in the season and it has reflected in their poor Laliga record this campaign.
Peter Bosz’s men have been in fine form this season, sitting atop the Bundesliga table, conceding just one goal in the process. Dortmund kept five clean sheets in their opening five matches but conceded their first league goal in the 6-1 demolition over Gladbach, a win which propelled the Black and Yellows to their most impressive Bundesliga start in the club’s history.
Playing Borussia Dortmund at their home stadium will be a perplexing task for Zinedine Zidane’s men. The Frenchman doesn’t share a good record against the Black and Yellows. Ironically, he was included in the Juventus team, which started against Dortmund, in their 3:1 defeat in the 1997 Champions League final.
Last season, Los Blancos lost the group to Dortmund and finished second, following two draws against the German giants. Things will, however, get even tougher for Zidane this time around, after an awful start to their league campaign.
They’ve slumped to a defeat against Real Betis, whilst being held against the likes of Levante and Valencia. Winless at home this season, Zidane needs to overlook his side’s terrible form in the Laliga as they prepare for the Dortmund clash this midweek. On the contrary, the hosts will look to capitalize on their solid league form as they aim to get over the line against the mighty Real.
Dortmund, contesting the group stage for the 12th time and a sixth in seven years, have reached the knockout stage in their last four UEFA Champions League appearances. In 2016/17 they beat SL Benfica 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16, subsequently losing 6-3 to Monaco over two legs, the home defeat to Monaco put an end to their seven-game unbeaten home run in Europe. Before last season’s draw with Madrid, the Bundesliga side had won their previous four home matches against Spanish visitors. Their overall record at home against Liga opposition is W7 D4 L2.
Madrid, on the other hand, will look to seize many poor records they have against the Ruhr giants. They finished second in their group in 2016/17, behind Dortmund – the first time since 2012/13 they had failed to top their section. Overall, their record in Germany is W5 D7 L19 – four of those wins coming in their last seven visits. Zidane really has a point to prove this midweek.
Team News
Both sides are decimated through a series of injuries for their respective squads. Dortmund will miss star player Marco Reus, Raphael Guerreiro and captain Marcel Schmelzer. While Marc Bartra, despite featuring as a sub in the weekend game against Gladbach, is expected to sit out on the bench. New signing Omer Toprak will feature as the partnering centre back alongside captain Sokratis.
Youngster Dan-Axel Zagadou will also have to settle for the bench, as former Real Madrid target Jeremy Toljan makes a strong case to make his second start in the Champions League this season. We might see Julian Weigl retain his place in the starting lineup, thanks to a masterclass performance vs. Gladbach, scoring his first Bundesliga goal in his career. While Maximilian Philipp push for his starting debut in the Champions League, after scoring a brace and providing an assist on the weekend. The former Freiburg attacker has now scored four goals in three games.
As for the visitors, Marcelo’s injury will be a big blow for Zinedine Zidane, who will also miss deputing fullback and new signing Theo Hernandez due to injury. Nacho will replace the two injured fullbacks on the left-hand side. The Spanish defender also featured against Dortmund in the group stage campaign last season.
Meanwhile, midfield maestro Toni Kroos didn’t train with the squad and is reportedly injured, meaning Dani Ceballos, who scored a brace in his first professional start for Real Madrid, might get his opportunity to shine against a sharp Dortmund side. But Marco Asensio also remains a valuable option for coach Zinedine Zidane, should he choose to bring in more attacking verve. Mateo Kovacic, Karim Benzema, and Jesus Vallejo remain as other absentees for Los Merengues.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund:
Roman Burki; Jeremy Toljan, Omer Toprak, Sokratis, Lukasz Piszczek; Nuri Sahin, Julian Weigl; Christian Pulisic, Mahmoud Dahoud, Andriy Yarmolenko; Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang Aubameyang
Real Madrid:
Keylor Navas; Nacho Fernandez, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Danny Carvajal; Casemiro, Dani Cabellos, Luka Modric; Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco
You can read the detailed projected lineups in the following links given below.
Click here for probable Borussia Dortmund starting XI vs Real Madrid
Click here for probable Real Madrid starting XI vs Borussia Dortmund
Predictions
Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid
Odds:
Borussia Dortmund: 2/1
Draw: 29/10
Real Madrid: 13/10
