Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven will clash at the Westfalenstadion with the UEFA Champions League tie evenly poised, as a quarter-final spot is up for grabs.
Edin Terzic will bank on home comforts when the Westfalenstadion welcomes PSV Eindhoven, as Borussia Dortmund aim to book their place in this season’s UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The tie is evenly poised after what happened in the Netherlands around two weeks ago.
Former PSV Eindhoven man Donyell Malen gave Borussia Dortmund an early lead in that first-leg encounter, only for a second-half penalty from Luuk de Jong to cancel it out. Since then, the Germans immediately lost their home game to Hoffenheim, although they bounced back with consecutive away victories against Union Berlin and Werder Bremen.
In the Champions League, Dortmund have a favourable record in their current circumstances as they have progressed from their last five knockout ties in the Champions League when they have avoided defeat in an away first leg. However, they have progressed to the quarter-finals only once in their last six years in the competition.
Peter Bosz will bring PSV Eindhoven to Germany with confidence, having lost just two of their 39 games across all competitions this season. The Dutch outfit are also unbeaten in the Eredivisie and have collected seven points in the league since their draw with Dortmund at home.
The 4-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates remains their only defeat in the Champions League this season, and Bosz will hope to secure a famous away win at the Westfalenstadion. However, they must overcome a dismal record in Germany, where they have yet to win during their last 16 visits here, with the last win coming back in December 1977 against Eintracht Braunschweig.
In any case, PSV will have to turn up in their best form ahead of this crucial trip to Dortmund and must play at the top of their game should they wish to make it to the quarter-finals. With the match evenly poised, the Dutch side have every chance to cause an upset, although Dortmund might have the slender home advantage on their side.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
Ole Pohlmann and Sebastien Haller are the only injury-related absentees for Borussia Dortmund. The latter has not fully recovered from the issue he picked up at the AFCON, although he is back to running in training.
The big blow for the home side comes in the form of Nico Schlotterbeck’s absence, as the defender will serve a suspension for a third yellow card. Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels are expected to form the central defensive partnership for Dortmund.
Julian Ryerson and Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen will operate as the full-backs. Marcel Sabitzer, who received a red against Werder Bremen at the weekend, will take his position in the centre of midfield alongside Emre Can. Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho must fight it out with Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi for a place in the starting lineup.
The latter duo are likely to get the nod for this home tie, with Donyell Malen keeping his place on the right-hand side of the attack. Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Dortmund and will certainly hope to get among the goals.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meyer; Ryerson, Sule, Hummels, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer; Malen, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug
PSV Eindhoven
PSV have a few problems heading to Borussia Dortmund as key attacker Noa Lang remains unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring issue. Richard Ledezma is also unfit for this encounter.
Peter Bosz will be sweating over the fitness of critical midfielders Ismael Saibari and Joey Veerman. The pair did not take part at the weekend due to muscle issues, although PSV will undertake a late assessment to determine their chances of participating in Germany.
Should they remain unavailable, Bosz will have to choose from Guus Til, Mauro Junior and Malik Tillman. The latter is still considered more for the final third, although those spots do seem full ahead of this daunting trip for PSV. Guus Til might start at the base of the midfield, while Junior and Jerdy Schouten will provide support from either side.
In the attack, Johan Bakayoko is best placed to start on the right-hand side of the front three, with top scorer Luuk de Jong leading the line. Mexican winger Hirving Lozano will occupy the slot on the left, as PSV looks to hurt this Dortmund defence in this second leg.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Benitez; Teze, Obispo, Boscagli, Dest; Schouten, Til, Junior; Bakayoko, De Jong, Lozano
Key Stats
- Borussia Dortmund have lost once in their last 12 games across all competitions.
- Borussia Dortmund have only progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals once in their last six years.
- Borussia Dortmund have progressed from their last five knockout ties when they avoided defeat in an away first-leg
- PSV Eindhoven have not won on German soil since December 1977.
- PSV have lost once in their last 28 games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Donyell Malen
Donyell Malen has been one of the improved players for Borussia Dortmund since the turn of the year, and there are already links with a move away from the club. That might be an exercise for the summer, as the Dutchman will now focus on his task ahead in the Champions League.
Malen will have a crucial role to play should Dortmund have ambitions to qualify for the next stage. Right now, the winger is guaranteed a place in the starting lineup, meaning he will have his chance to make a mark and will undoubtedly hope to assert himself against PSV.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
The home side are in with the advantage of the Westfalenstadion, although they must dig their heels in this fight against PSV. The away team are coming into this clash on the back of a dreadful record when playing in Germany, something Peter Bosz will want to change.
Both teams have the ability to score in this game, especially with the attacking qualities on either side. Yet, Borussia Dortmund, with the home advantage, may have the edge here, while their defensive setup is also slightly better than that of PSV. In all, Dortmund are likely to go through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.