The trip to Norway was as extraordinary as the opposition. In two small, 30-seater planes, Dortmund made their way to the southerly Norwegian province of Skien, the last stop on the road to Europe, without Marco Reus. Dortmund will go into this evening’s play-off first leg against Odds BK (20:30 CEST) with a great deal of self-confidence.
The BVB team were forced to use small planes because of the short runway in Skien, but that did not affect the atmosphere after their remarkable 4-0 victory last Saturday against Gladbach. The players will have to go into the game with composure, as it will be played on an unfamiliar artificial pitch at the Skagerrak stadium in front of 13,500 spectators.
"We will have to live up to the claim that we are favourites," said sporting director Michael Zorc, but he also warned his team. "We are playing on an unfamiliar surface. We must quickly become accustomed to it, as there are a lot of unknowns."
Odds BK striker Occean and many other unknown entities
While everyone has respect for Odds BK, who hold the record for most Norwegian Cups won, and who have had their share of international success before this clash with Dortmund, there is only one aim for Thomas Tuchel which is to reach the Europa League group stages. It is clear that Dortmund go into this game as runaway favourites after the confident wins against Wolfsberger AC in the third qualification round.
Nevertheless, Dortmund have prepared well and want to continue their great run of form in Norway, having scored twelve goals and had four clean sheets in their last four games. "We have many sources of information, and I also know one or two of their players," said BVB chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke. Immediately after the draw he looked up Odds to inform himself about them and the friendly face of former Frankfurt player Olivier Occean.
Roman Weidenfeller set for his second game of the season
Tuchel's approach is clear. It is still not obvious, however, what players the 41-year-old will deploy as he looks at the intensive August schedule his team has, with 7 games in 24 days. After having recently been second best to Roman Bürki, it has been confirmed that Roman Weidenfeller will play his second game of the season.
Reus did not fly out with the team. "We left him voluntarily. He is not injured, but he trained in Dortmund this morning," said Tuchel on Wednesday evening. Lukasz Piszczek is out injured. Gonzalo Castro, Dortmund’s new signing from Leverkusen, is still waiting for his opportunity in the starting line-up. There is a good chance that he will be called upon tonight against Odds BK.