18:15
Rangers are also second in their league. However, they are only a single point behind rivals Celtic. Since Giovanni van Bronckhorst took over the coaching post at his former club with assistant coach Roy Makaay three months ago, the cult club from Glasgow have won 13 of 17 competitive games. The reigning champions have recovered well from the bitter 3-0 defeat in the “Old Firm” at the beginning of February and have all won the last three competitive games with an overall score of 10-0 goals.
18:04
In terms of sport, things have been up and down at Borussia in recent weeks. After a good start in 2022, the cup-out at the second division club St. Pauli was the first major setback. The next followed in a hearty 2:5 against Leverkusen. On the other hand, Marco Rose’s team in the Bundesliga recently clinched away wins against the teams in Hoffenheim and Berlin that are playing for international business. With the recent 3-0 win at Union, they are back in the league up to six points behind FC Bayern.
17:56
And that brings us to the line-ups: At BVB Marco Rose is this time relying on the old adage “Never change a winning team” and is sending the same formation into the race that won 3-0 in Berlin at the weekend. The exact opposite is the case for guests. At the weekend, coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst let the second guard down in the cup at second division club Annan Athletic and is now replacing the entire team. Surprisingly, Juve loanee Aaron Ramsey is only on the bench, ex-Bundesliga professional Leon Balogun is not in the squad due to injury.
17:49
One name was once again the main topic at BVB in the run-up to the game: Erling Haaland. On the one hand, because Real Madrid is said to have recently intensified its efforts to lure the BVB goal-getter to Spain next summer. On the other hand, because the Norwegian surprisingly took part in team training yesterday after his persistent problems in the adductor area and suddenly seemed to be an option for the game against Rangers. It is now clear that the BVB fans hoped in vain, because Haaland is not in the squad today either.
17:46
Playoff games like this will be played in the UEFA Europa League for the first time this season. In the group phase, which was reduced to 32 teams, the winners of the eight groups qualified directly for the round of 16. The eight runners-up in the group, on the other hand, compete in these knockout duels against the clubs that were relegated from the Champions League in third place. Rangers, second in Europa League group A, meet Borussia from Dortmund, who finished third in group C of the premier class. The game will be played over two legs, with the second game taking place next week at Ibrox Park.
17:45
Hello and welcome to the UEFA Europa League play-offs! Borussia Dortmund meets the traditional Scottish club Glasgow Rangers in the fight for a ticket for the round of 16. At 6:45 p.m. the ball rolls in the Signal Iduna Park!