Borussia Dortmund aims for redemption in their UEFA Champions League campaign. The team is set to face Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, with kickoff at 9 PM CET. Following a heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, Dortmund hopes to restore confidence with a decisive home win.
Dortmund and Villarreal Lineups
Dortmund’s Starting XI
- Kobel
- Anton
- Anselmino
- Schlotterbeck (c)
- Couto
- Sabitzer
- Nmecha
- Svensson
- Adeyemi
- Brandt
- Guirassy
Villarreal’s Starting XI
- Júnior
- Mouriño
- Foyth (c)
- Veiga
- Cardona
- Comesaña
- Gueye
- Partey
- Buchanan
- Pépé
- Oluwaseyi
Key Changes and Injuries
Dortmund has made five changes to their weekend lineup. Players returning include Yan Couto, Aarón Anselmino, Marcel Sabitzer, Daniel Svensson, and Karim Adeyemi. Villarreal, on the other hand, has introduced seven new faces to the starting eleven, including Santiago Mouriño and Pape Gueye.
Regarding injuries, Dortmund will miss Niklas Süle due to a toe issue, while Maxi Beier is also sidelined after leaving training early. Coach Niko Kovač reassured fans that Beier’s condition is manageable.
Coaches’ Insights
Coach Niko Kovač acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match. He indicated that Villarreal is performing well in La Liga and should not be underestimated. Conversely, Villarreal’s coach, Marcelino, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to challenge Dortmund’s attack. He emphasized the need for strong defense and effective offense to secure a favorable result.
Current Form and Statistics
Dortmund is currently sitting in a precarious position within the Champions League standings. Their recent loss against Manchester City marks the only defeat in their Champions League group this season. They previously secured six points from wins against Athletic Bilbao and Copenhagen, alongside a draw against Juventus.
Villarreal, known as “The Yellow Submarine,” is still searching for their first win this Champions League season. They recently drew against Juventus but suffered losses to Tottenham and Manchester City. Despite this, Villarreal remains solid in La Liga, currently occupying third place after a win over Mallorca.
Notable Trends and Records
- Dortmund has lost only two of their last 14 home matches against Spanish teams in UEFA competitions.
- Serhou Guirassy has been a standout performer, scoring 10 goals in his past eight home appearances in the Champions League.
- Dortmund needs two goals to reach a notable milestone of 350 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
As both teams prepare for this crucial match, anticipation builds around their performances. Dortmund seeks to bounce back, while Villarreal aims to secure their first points of the tournament.
