Dortmund face a ‘mission impossible’ as Tottenham seek back-to-back victories in the Westfalenstadion

Chris Williams –

Dortmund vs Tottenham  – Tuesday, March 5, 20:00GMT/21:00CET – Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany

Dortmund vs Tottenham will take place at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

It will take a monumental performance on Tuesday night for Dortmund to progress further in this seasons UEFA Champions League. A dismal final ten minutes at Wembley effectively put this tie out of the Schwarzgelben’s reach.

With their worrying form in the Bundesliga, an exit from this competition may allow Lucien Favre’s side to fully concentrate on a league title challenge – however, victory at home against a strong Tottenham Hotspur would lift the storms clouds that have circled of late.

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After last season’s tragic showing in both the Champions and Europa leagues, their presence in the round of 16 is a step in the right direction. A wonderful victory against Atlético Madrid on matchday three gave an insight into the capabilities of Dortmund under new management.

But a lack of concentration in London, coupled with a number of individual errors, proved that this young squad is still in a transitionary and developmental period.

The final stages of this tournament are out of the reach of Favre’s embryotic tenure, one last hurrah at home against a well disciplined and drilled Spurs could provide the springboard needed to refocus their attack on the Meisterschale.

Tottenham’s progression in Europe this season has been a rollercoaster of a ride. Losing both their opening games a place in the knockout stages looked to be all but a dream – with one point from nine, the fact they are all but guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals is a testament to the turnaround achieved in the winter of 2018.

Mauricio Pochettino masterminded victories over PSV Eindhoven and Inter, before an unlikely positive result away to Barcelona allowed his team to progress.

Their performance in London during the first leg has all but sealed the tie, and with Son Heung-min and Hary Kane in world-class form, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the English Premier League side register another valuable win in the city of Dortmund.

Dortmund vs Tottenham – Players to look out for:

Marco Reus #11 – Dortmund

Dortmund welcome their talismanic captain back to Champions League action, his absence at Wembley was felt by the entire team during a timid first leg encounter.

With him in the side, the Yellow and Blacks look a frighteningly fast attacking force. Should they harbour any hopes of overturning a three-nil deficit then Reus – and Dortmund – will need to be on top form.

Dortmund v Tottenham – Can Marco Reus make the difference on a challenging night? (Photo: PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Harry Kane #10 – Tottenham

The England captain has four goals in six games this season in Europe’s premier competition. Absent for the first leg through injury he wasn’t missed by a Tottenham side who tore Dortmund apart during an epic final ten minutes.

With him back in the starting lineup, the North London club carry an even bigger threat – not good news for their hosts. The forward’s 22 goals across 34 games so far this season, mark him out as one of the most dangerous strikers in the world.  With three goals in three games against Dortmund, he has the Yellow and Blacks firmly in his sights already.

Harry Kane in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Dortmund vs Tottenham – Match Stats

• Dortmund have won only one of their last seven knockout phase matches in UEFA competition (D2 L4)
• Tottenham’s record in Germany is W4 D2 L6; a 2016 defeat in Dortmund is their sole loss in their last five visits (W2 D2)
• Before this season, Dortmund had won only one of their last 11 UEFA Champions League fixtures (D3 L7)
• Tottenham have won just four of their last 18 European away matches (D7 L7).
• Tuesday’s game will be the fifth time the two clubs have played each other in the last three years

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Dortmund vs Tottenham – 2-2

Dortmund vs Tottenham – Lineups

Dortmund:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Bürki – Diallo, Zagadou, Akanji, Wolf – Delaney, Witsel – Guerreiro, Reus, Sancho – Götze

Head Coach: Lucien Favre

Tottenham:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Lloris – Vertonghen, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Aurier – Sissoko, Winks – Lucas, Eriksen, Son – Kane

Head Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Chris Williams is a freelance European football journalist. Covering the Bundesliga, Premier League and both of UEFAís European club competitions. Published in both local and international publications, he also contributes to television and radio across the globe. A member of the UKís Sports Journalist Association and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). Follow Chris Williams on Twitter @Chris78Williams