Tomorrow, Borussia Dortmund will be the first team to welcome the new world champion, Bayer Leverkusen. On the one hand, the two clubs could give up. Borussia Dortmund have a busy schedule and limited opportunities to rest ahead of a UCL semi-final with PSG and a huge six-pointer against RB Leipzig. Bayer Leverkusen have already been crowned Bundesliga champions and this match has almost no meaning for them as they take part in their victory parade.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund is still in fifth place and is three points behind with a match to play against RB Leipzig for this fourth place. Three points against Leverkusen will be vital for Dortmund to maintain the pressure ahead of next week’s match against Leipzig. Leverkusen also have their reasons to compete as they continue to pursue a historic unbeaten season in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen will look to continue their dominance and will want to record a victory against Dortmund, who they drew level earlier this season.
Terzic and company enter this game with the wind in their sails. A 4-2 home win over Atletico Madrid sent them into the Champions League semi-finals just weeks after a historic win over Bayern Munich. Consistency remains an issue, as the team has recorded defeats against Stuttgart and Atletico in the meantime. Today they face the most in-form team in Europe, as Edin Terzic looks to record another victory. The personnel shouldn’t be any different either as the only player promoted “day to day” from the injury chart is Donyell Malen.
As mentioned, Leverkusen comes into this match as the most in-form team in Europe. Their unbeaten streak has been proclaimed the longest in European football of the 21st century with 44 victories. How did they do it? A well-built team, an excellent coach and above all; 11 goals after the 80th minute in their last 10 matches. This Leverkusen team is the protagonist of football right now and they really never say die. If Dortmund want to win tomorrow’s match, they must keep the accelerator on until the final whistle. If they make it that far.
Player to watch: Florian Wirtz
Despite his 20 years, Wirtz is an integral part of this Leverkusen team. He has 11 goals and 10 assists in his 29 appearances including a hat-trick to seal the title last weekend against Werder Bremen. While Leverkusen is a collective effort as Frimpong, Boniface and Xhaka have also grabbed the headlines, Wirtz has shown his ability to change matches and will look to make an impact against Borussia Dortmund.
Line up:
I expect the same lineup from Dortmund’s midweek game to be deployed again. For Terzic, being the only coach to beat Xabi Alonso in 45 games will be too attractive and therefore requires the best possible team. Hummels and Schlotterbeck will hope to continue their good form while Ryerson and Maatsen continue to be the only full-backs able to dedicate minutes for Borussia Dortmund. It is now in midfield that the magic happens since Emre Can will be deployed behind Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer. Dortmund have had issues with Sabitzer and Can playing deep behind Brandt/Reus while Nmecha will legitimately be eaten alive by Granit Xhaka if he starts. The full-backs will need to be at their best on both sides of the ball, as Leverkusen’s fullbacks have shown how integral they are to the team’s offense. Both Sancho and Adeyemi do a good (not great) job defensively and I trust them to start. Fullkrug will be picked after his midweek goal, as Moukoko has failed to impress in limited opportunities this year.
Prediction 3-1 Leverkusen
Dortmund have had some highs in recent months, but I expect them to be brought back down to Earth by Leverkusen. As we saw against Atletico, being at home helps, but Dortmund’s last three Bundesliga defeats have all come at the Westfalenstadion. Leverkusen will enjoy their chances tomorrow.
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Let us know your thoughts!
Tomorrow, Borussia Dortmund will be the first team to welcome the new world champion, Bayer Leverkusen. On the one hand, the two clubs could give up. Borussia Dortmund have a busy schedule and limited opportunities to rest ahead of a UCL semi-final with PSG and a huge six-pointer against RB Leipzig. Bayer Leverkusen have already been crowned Bundesliga champions and this match has almost no meaning for them as they take part in their victory parade.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund is still in fifth place and is three points behind with a match to play against RB Leipzig for this fourth place. Three points against Leverkusen will be vital for Dortmund to maintain the pressure ahead of next week’s match against Leipzig. Leverkusen also have their reasons to compete as they continue to pursue a historic unbeaten season in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen will look to continue their dominance and will want to record a victory against Dortmund, who they drew level earlier this season.
Terzic and company enter this game with the wind in their sails. A 4-2 home win over Atletico Madrid sent them into the Champions League semi-finals just weeks after a historic win over Bayern Munich. Consistency remains an issue, as the team has recorded defeats against Stuttgart and Atletico in the meantime. Today they face the most in-form team in Europe, as Edin Terzic looks to record another victory. The personnel shouldn’t be any different either as the only player promoted “day to day” from the injury chart is Donyell Malen.
As mentioned, Leverkusen comes into this match as the most in-form team in Europe. Their unbeaten streak has been proclaimed the longest in European football of the 21st century with 44 victories. How did they do it? A well-built team, an excellent coach and above all; 11 goals after the 80th minute in their last 10 matches. This Leverkusen team is the protagonist of football right now and they really never say die. If Dortmund want to win tomorrow’s match, they must keep the accelerator on until the final whistle. If they make it that far.
Player to watch: Florian Wirtz
Despite his 20 years, Wirtz is an integral part of this Leverkusen team. He has 11 goals and 10 assists in his 29 appearances including a hat-trick to seal the title last weekend against Werder Bremen. While Leverkusen is a collective effort as Frimpong, Boniface and Xhaka have also grabbed the headlines, Wirtz has shown his ability to change matches and will look to make an impact against Borussia Dortmund.
Line up:
I expect the same lineup from Dortmund’s midweek game to be deployed again. For Terzic, being the only coach to beat Xabi Alonso in 45 games will be too attractive and therefore requires the best possible team. Hummels and Schlotterbeck will hope to continue their good form while Ryerson and Maatsen continue to be the only full-backs able to dedicate minutes for Borussia Dortmund. It is now in midfield that the magic happens since Emre Can will be deployed behind Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer. Dortmund have had issues with Sabitzer and Can playing deep behind Brandt/Reus while Nmecha will legitimately be eaten alive by Granit Xhaka if he starts. The full-backs will need to be at their best on both sides of the ball, as Leverkusen’s fullbacks have shown how integral they are to the team’s offense. Both Sancho and Adeyemi do a good (not great) job defensively and I trust them to start. Fullkrug will be picked after his midweek goal, as Moukoko has failed to impress in limited opportunities this year.
Prediction 3-1 Leverkusen
Dortmund have had some highs in recent months, but I expect them to be brought back down to Earth by Leverkusen. As we saw against Atletico, being at home helps, but Dortmund’s last three Bundesliga defeats have all come at the Westfalenstadion. Leverkusen will enjoy their chances tomorrow.
Your thoughts
Let us know your thoughts!