Glasgow (dpa) – All or nothing! After the 4-2 home defeat in the first leg of the Europa League, Borussia Dortmund is under a lot of pressure.
In the second duel with the Scots this Thursday (9 p.m. / RTL) in the seething Ibrox Stadium, the team could prove that the accusation of a lack of mentality is unfounded.
Staff:As in the past four weeks, BVB has to do without goalscorer Erling Haaland. Although the Norwegian’s adductor problems are gradually fading away, they are not yet allowing a comeback. Nevertheless, coach Marco Rose still believes that his team will reach the round of 16: “We’ve been missing Erling for almost half the season, but we still scored a lot of goals.” In addition to Haaland, central defenders Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou are out. In return, full-back Thomas Meunier, who was injured last, was present when the team departed for Scotland on Wednesday.
Away goals:It could be an advantage for BVB that the old UEFA European Cup arithmetic no longer applies. Because the number of away goals is no longer decisive in the event of a tie after two duels, a win with a two-goal difference is enough to qualify for extra time. “We don’t need anyone to be motivated. We know what’s at stake. We have big plans,” commented captain Marco Reus.
encourager:The last meeting with Glasgow Rangers gives BVB courage. In the UEFA Cup of the 1999/2000 season, the Revierclub was behind by two goals (0:2) after the first leg. In the second leg, BVB equalized and won the penalty shootout. Today’s Rangers coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst also failed from the point. The difference: Back then, Borussia had home advantage in the second duel.
Motivation: In the legendary Ibrox Park, BVB can expect a heated atmosphere for the first time in a long time due to Corona. Mental strength is required in front of probably 50,000 fans. Coach Rose is in good spirits that his team is benefiting from the recently unusual atmosphere: “We’re all happy that we can play in a full stadium again. That’s great. We have to accept the atmosphere and try to absorb it and for ourselves to use.”