Borussia Dortmund travel to Portugal on Tuesday night to face Sporting CP. Both sides like to attack, which can lead to plenty of goals; however, the goals that go in aren’t always in the oppositions net. With both teams not in impressive form defensively, goals are expected when Sporting host Dortmund.
Strength in attack
Both teams like to attack, and attack can often be the best form of defence. Sporting have so far played 10 games in all competitions and have scored in every one of them. In their last six games, fourteen have been scored. Dortmund can beat that figure though. They have scored a very impressive 17 in their last six matches.
Forwards to watch
Dortmund – Patrick Aubameyang
Last seasons Bundesliga Player of the Year is Dortmund’s main threat in front of goal. He has eight goals in all competitions so far this season and his 25 goals last season had the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City wanting his signature.
Sporting – Bas Dost
Only signed for Sporting in the summer but seems to be settling in well. He has four goals so far this season. Three of those have come in the last four games. The Dutchman will know Dortmund well having spent four years with Wolfsburg before heading to Lisbon. At six feet five inches, Dost has the presence to cause any defence problems.
Inconsistent defences
Both sides seem to have defences that make life hard for their attackers. Dortmund have conceded in each of their last five games and have failed to win since 23rd September. Sporting, in their last five games have conceded three goals twice and two goals twice. Even though this is the case, they are still undefeated in their last three matches.
Champions League form
German giants BvB currently have four points from their opening two games. An impressive 6-0 victory away at Legia Warsaw was followed by an excellent game in Germany where themselves and Real Madrid battled to a 2-2 draw.
Sporting met Madrid on their opening fixture and although they were defeated, they produced an impressive display. In their second game they dispatched Legia Warsaw 2-0 to claim their first points in the group stage.
What a win would mean
Both sides will be looking to strengthen their position in Group F. A win for the hosts in Portugal’s capital would see them leapfrog the Germans. A victory for the visitors would put them onto seven points, four ahead of Sporting. It would put Dortmund in a strong position going into the final three games as two of those are played on home soil.
Potential classic awaits
On paper this game has the potential to be a Champions League classic. Both teams like to attack and both have inconsistent defences. With over 2.5 goals scored in six of Sporting’s last 10 games and over 2.5 goals in eight of Dortmund’s last 10, it would take a brave person to predict a 0-0. Fans in Lisbon and those who choose to watch it around the world could be in for high scoring and exciting evening.
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