Champions League: BVB anticipation of Haaland - Kehl: "Use second match point"

Just no nail-biter! In the fight for entry into the knockout round of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund wants to avoid a tricky group final - despite Torgarant Erling Haaland's gala form.

Champions League: BVB anticipation of Haaland - Kehl: "Use second match point"

Just no nail-biter! In the fight for entry into the knockout round of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund wants to avoid a tricky group final - despite Torgarant Erling Haaland's gala form. With a victory on Tuesday (9 p.m. / Amazon Prime Video) over the star ensemble from Manchester City around the former BVB professional, the round of 16 qualification would be perfect prematurely even without outside help.

"We would like to use this second match point at home so that we don't have to go to Copenhagen with a bad starting position," commented sporting director Sebastian Kehl, hoping for an early happy ending.

Terzic: "We have to stop Erling"

Haaland's return to the Dortmund stadium, which was sold out with 81,365 spectators, increases the anticipation of the European holiday. "These are games that you mark in the calendar," said Gregor Kobel. With all due respect for the Norwegian international, the goalkeeper is confident that the BVB defense can stop him: "Of course he has incredible quality and an incredible physique. But I trust the guys in front of me." Coach Edin Terzic takes a similar view: "He's now scoring his goals in a different shirt. We have to stop him."

The first chance to make everything clear was wasted two weeks ago in the 1-1 draw at home to Sevilla FC. Behind leaders Manchester (10 points), BVB (7) is in second place in the table, five points ahead of their rivals from Spain and Denmark. A point against the English champions would be enough unless FC Copenhagen wins in Seville. If the Danes win and Dortmund lose, the last game in Copenhagen would be tantamount to a final that BVB shouldn't lose. If the two pursuers share the points, Dortmund would definitely have reached their goal before the kick-off.

But Terzic doesn't want to rely on outside help. "It's not in our hands to influence that. The only thing we can influence is the performance against Manchester City," commented the football teacher. But the task against the team of star coach Pep Guardiola, who has four former BVB professionals in the squad with Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Ilkay Gündogan and Sergio Gomez, could hardly be more difficult. After all, the second in the Premier League table is considered the favorite for the title. Nevertheless, guest coach Pep Guardiola expects a duel on an equal footing with Dortmund: "We have great respect for them and have to do our best to beat them. They are very good."

How BVB could shake the supposed superiority could be seen in the narrow 1: 2 in mid-September in the first leg, in which the guests led 1: 0 until the 80th minute. "We already showed in Manchester that we can survive," said Terzic confidently.

Bellingham is in the spotlight

The 5-0 goal gala against Stuttgart on Saturday, in which BVB impressed with a lot of passion, enthusiasm and efficiency, provided momentum. "It's always good when you see that you're able to play football like this. But it will be a different task on Tuesday. We need the same conviction that we showed in Manchester and against Stuttgart," Terzic demanded .

The Jew Bellingham, who was outstanding against Stuttgart and who scored the first Bundesliga brace of his young career, should also be in the spotlight against Manchester alongside Haaland. After all, the wealthy eight-time English champions are one of the many top clubs said to be interested in signing the 19-year-old midfielder, who has a contract until 2025, next summer. "Now he's one of the captains of the team. At 19 years old - that's very impressive," praised City coach Pep Guardiola.

Before the duel with the second in the Premier League, the personnel situation seems to relax. Even national player Nico Schlotterbeck, who was substituted against Stuttgart with calf problems, could be an option again. "Things are looking good for the injured players," said Terzic, who has to do without the suspended Salih Özcan. The football teacher left open whether captain Marco Reus would return to the squad after his ankle injury: "He's still on the brink. It's about days for him." A decision on its use should be made shortly. Reus was not there in the final training session.

NEXT NEWS