Roundtable: Can Borussia Dortmund advance to the Europa League quarterfinals?

Critty Smith

BVB can absolutely advance past Salzburg, there is no question. However, them being capable of something and actually executing are two vastly different items. Dortmund is creating chances despite lacking any tactical competency from Peter Stöger whatsoever.

The talent of our players, their individual skills, are what is leading to chance creation. On our day, we can hang with just about any side in the world when it comes to pure offensive production. But, when you play outside an organized system you leave much of that to luck.

Defensively BVB is a below-average Bundesliga side. The squad has an aging back line coupled with a ton of inexperience. This inevitably leads to goals being conceded and places far more pressure on the offense to over-deliver.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to be done about the defense at this point in the campaign. We must play the best four players that are available and hope that they can avoid too many mental errors and careless mistakes over the 90 minutes.

If Dortmund can get out it’s own way on Thursday, they should win this fixture. Again, saying it and doing it are at opposite ends of the spectrum.