Something like the 2: 4 embarrassment in the playoff round of Europe league at home against them Glasgow Rangers knows the BVB-History not. And away from home, the black and yellow are not a super monster internationally anyway. Only once in Europe in this millennium has there been a win by more than one goal on a foreign pitch in the knockout stage. It was 4: 2 in the round of 16 first leg of the “premier class” in 2014 at Zenit st Petersburg.
Dortmund without Haaland, Reyna, Akanji, Zagadou
So things are really not looking good for Borussia. Not only statistically, also personally. Tormonster Erling Haaland is still out. With Giovanni Reyna, another hope is not there. Central defenders Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou also did not make the trip to Scotland.
Therefore, before the game on Thursday (February 24th, 2022, 9 p.m.) pithy words have to do. “If the team has balls, they turn it”, said sports director Michael Zorc. And Julian Brandt demanded: “We have to spoon the shit out.” What else should they say?
Witch’s Cauldron Ibrox Park
What plays BVB a bit into the cards is that the away goals rule has been abolished. Dortmund “only” needs a win with two goals for extra time, a higher one for direct entry into the round of 16. Unfortunately, the 6-0 win in the Bundesliga against Borussia Mönchengladbach only serves as a limited encouragement. The Scottish record champions will probably not show themselves so desolate defensively.
“We’re going to fight” knows BVB coach Marco Rose. 50,000 spectators in the legendary Ibrox-Park will do everything to ensure that Rangers reach the last 16 of the Europa League for the third straight year. Glasgow have only lost five of the last 30 European home games – but three of them with two goals, like in 2020 in the 3-1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the round of 16.
Rangers coach van Bronckhorst aggressive
However, the Rangers don’t want to rest on their first-leg laurels anyway. “I don’t think starting with waiting doesn’t suit our system,” said coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who is definitely a veteran Aaron Ramsay has to do without in midfield.
Dortmund will need that mix of stability and risk-taking that the Westphalians are struggling with this season. Rose knows that too and therefore demanded “a good balance over 90 minutes.”
Captain Reus goes ahead verbally
It will depend on the central axis with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, central defender Mats Hummels, midfielder Mo Dahoud and Marco Reus. Captain Reus, involved in five of the six goals against Gladbach, is already verbally ahead: “We know what’s at stake and what we have to do.”
An almost hopeless starting position, a witch’s cauldron, a European Cup night under floodlights – that’s the stuff legendary stories are made of. Now Borusia just has to actually write one of them.