Bourssia Dortmund picked up an important Bundesliga victory on Friday night. The 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim on matchday 14 saw BVB move out of the relegation places. Qualification for the knock-out stages has already been confirmed, but Jürgen Klopp’s side are in direct competition with Arsenal for top spot. Borussia Dortmund host Belgian side RSC Anderlecht on Tuesday (20:45 CET), whilst the Gunners travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray.
A draw could be enough for Borussia (12 points): If BVB draw, Arsenal (10 points) would need to win in Istantbul by at least six goals in order to dislodge the German side from top spot. Should Borussia finish top, they will play a team who finished second in their group in the last 16 and have the advantage of playing the second-leg in Signal Iduna Park.
“We’re not going to play for a draw – we want to win. We have a good chance to top the group and aim to make the most of it,” said Germany international Ilkay Gündogan. Neven Subotic added: “We want to win, and to some extent need to, in order to prove that we’ve turned the corner.”
The experienced Sebastian Kehl is looking forward to a “great game to complete a successful group stage.” The 35-year-old is a doubt for the match having bruised his ribs in the game against Hoffenheim.
Dortmund’s form in the Champions and League and the Bundesliga have been polar opposites so far this season. BVB have won four and drawn one of their European games, a marked improvement on their domestic record. BVB have already secured the €3.5m prize money for qualifying for the knock-out round; qualification was sealed after four matches. The 33-time Belgian Champions have also picked up a financial reward. They have confirmed third spot in the group, which earns them €1m and a place in the knock-out stages of the UEFA Europa League. They are without a win in three matches in the Belgian top-flight.
Speculation regarding Weidenfeller
It’s not yet known who will be between the sticks for BVB on Tuesday. World Cup winning goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller may return to the starting line-up, having been replaced by Mitchell Langerak for the game against Hoffenheim.
Weidenfeller has made 52 European appearances, including 33 in the Champions League, for Borussia Dortmund; only Sebastian Kehl has made more appearance in Europe for the club out of the current squad. Langerak has played twice in Europe for the club and his record stands at one win and one defeat.
Bourssia Dortmund picked up an important Bundesliga victory on Friday night. The 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim on matchday 14 saw BVB move out of the relegation places. Qualification for the knock-out stages has already been confirmed, but Jürgen Klopp’s side are in direct competition with Arsenal for top spot. Borussia Dortmund host Belgian side RSC Anderlecht on Tuesday (20:45 CET), whilst the Gunners travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray.
A draw could be enough for Borussia (12 points): If BVB draw, Arsenal (10 points) would need to win in Istantbul by at least six goals in order to dislodge the German side from top spot. Should Borussia finish top, they will play a team who finished second in their group in the last 16 and have the advantage of playing the second-leg in Signal Iduna Park.
“We’re not going to play for a draw – we want to win. We have a good chance to top the group and aim to make the most of it,” said Germany international Ilkay Gündogan. Neven Subotic added: “We want to win, and to some extent need to, in order to prove that we’ve turned the corner.”
The experienced Sebastian Kehl is looking forward to a “great game to complete a successful group stage.” The 35-year-old is a doubt for the match having bruised his ribs in the game against Hoffenheim.
Dortmund’s form in the Champions and League and the Bundesliga have been polar opposites so far this season. BVB have won four and drawn one of their European games, a marked improvement on their domestic record. BVB have already secured the €3.5m prize money for qualifying for the knock-out round; qualification was sealed after four matches. The 33-time Belgian Champions have also picked up a financial reward. They have confirmed third spot in the group, which earns them €1m and a place in the knock-out stages of the UEFA Europa League. They are without a win in three matches in the Belgian top-flight.
Speculation regarding Weidenfeller
It’s not yet known who will be between the sticks for BVB on Tuesday. World Cup winning goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller may return to the starting line-up, having been replaced by Mitchell Langerak for the game against Hoffenheim.
Weidenfeller has made 52 European appearances, including 33 in the Champions League, for Borussia Dortmund; only Sebastian Kehl has made more appearance in Europe for the club out of the current squad. Langerak has played twice in Europe for the club and his record stands at one win and one defeat.
