UEFA Champions League Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs AS Monaco

Borussia Dortmund hosts AS Monaco mid-week, hoping to gain a statement-win over a tough European competitor in the hopes of maintaining their current form.

Borussia Dortmund has been on a roll in recent weeks and their winning form will be put to the test when they host a difficult European opponent. Monaco is in horrible form at the moment, with the team failing to register a win in their last 8 games. The French side, however, will do their best to turn things around and Dortmund should expect a tough game.

Dortmund’s players including German forward Marco Reus warm up during a training session on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group A football match Borussia Dortmund against AS Monaco in Dortmund, western Germany on October 2, 2018. (Photo by Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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AS Monaco

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Monaco’s current form is horrible and has won only one game in their entire season so far, which was the first league game of the season. Their performances have dropped significantly and it is a shame that one of Europe’s most dominant teams is struggling to go beyond the relegation spot in the Ligue 1, currently sitting at 18th on the table.

Borussia Dortmund

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Dortmund has been in fine form and the team is currently playing some of its best football since Thomas Tuchel. After a dominating win over Bayer Leverkusen, the euphoria is sky high and Dortmund will look to keep the momentum going.

Last Match: AS Monaco 3-1 Borussia Dortmund

MONACO, MONACO – APRIL 19: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund Matthias Ginter of Dortmund Shinji Kagawa of Dortmund looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund of Dortmund at Stade Louis II on April 19, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

The last time these two teams met was in the 16/17 UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals and Dortmund lost both those games. One also has to remember that it was the bombing before the first fixture in that particular tie which soured ties between the club and then-coach Thomas Tuchel. However, nobody can deny that Monaco was one of the strongest teams in the world at the time and was playing spectacular football. Things have changed, however, and BVB currently holds all the cards.

What can we expect for this match?

Dortmund is in a good spell but Monaco has dominated this fixture before and will want to use that as groundwork for a hard-earned victory. Europe may not be a priority for the French side but they are in desperate need of a win and beating Dortmund could turn their season around.

Monaco will likely have a lot of possession with Dortmund countering them. However, there is a slight chance that the game will shift gears should BVB lead the game, allowing them to dominate the remainder of the match.

Dortmund’s defense remains an issue but the opposition will need a moment of brilliance to exploit it, the chances of which, are pretty slim at the moment.

All in all, it should be an entertaining game of end-to-end football.

Possible Lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Burki, Hakimi, Akanji, Diallo, Schmelzer, Delaney, Witsel, Dahoud, Pulisic, Reus, Paco Alcacer

AS Monaco: Benaglio – Sidibe, Glik, Jemerson, Barreca – Aholou, Tielemans – Grandsir, S. Diop, Mboula – Falcao

Final prediction – Borussia Dortmund 3-0 AS Monaco

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