Champions League Preview: Borussia Dortmund take on Atletico Madrid
By Pedro Rivera
Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to make it three wins out of three in the UEFA Champions League Group A when they take on Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
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Borussia Dortmund
Domestic competition: WWWWD
Champions League (this season): WW
Borussia Dortmund have enjoyed a superb start to the new season, both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The Black and Yellows are undefeated in all competitions and have won their last five games, scoring 22 goals in the process. In the Champions League, Dortmund fought hard in the opening matchday against Club Brugge to win 1-0 and gave an exhibition of great football in the Signal Iduna Park against Monaco with a 3-0 win on matchweek 2.
These results have helped Borussia Dortmund rise to the top of the Bundesliga standings with 20 points of 24 possible and in the first place of the group A of the Champions League with six points.
Atletico Madrid
Domestic Competition: DWDWD
Champions League (this season): WW
On the other hand, Atlético Madrid haven’t made the best of starts to their league campaign, and lie fifth in the La Liga table with 16 points. They were held to a 1-1 draw by a struggling Villarreal side last weekend.
In the UEFA Champions League, Atletico have won both their games so far. They beat AS Monaco 2-1 in their opener and they followed that up with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge.
Last Match: Borussia Dortmund 1 Atletico Madrid 2
The last time Borussia Dortmund faced Atletico Madrid was all the way back in October of 1996 in Champions League group stage. On that occasion, the Spanish club triumphed 1-2 at the Westfalenstadion. Borussia Dortmund ended up winning the UEFA Champions League that season, beating Juventus in the final.
What we can expect for the match
Atletico Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and it is famous for its defensive style and are very difficult to break down. They play an aggressive brand of football and are a very well drilled side. At the same time they also have a very strong attacking force, with World Cup 2018 winner Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa leading the line. They have also added significant firepower to their squad with the signings of Thomas Lemar and Gelson Martins. They also have a very talented midfield which features Spanish internationals Koke, Saul and Rodri
Borussia Dortmund have shown not only great style in recent games, but have also shown great spirit to find a way to get results. And they will have to be at their very best against a team of Atletico’s quality.
For Borussia Dortmund this will be an important match, because a win will see them take a huge step towards qualifying for the round of 16. Getting the three points will also help their prospects of topping the group. Of course, Atletico head into the game as slight favorites, but Borussia Dortmund have won all their games at the Westfalenstadion so far and will not go down without a fight.
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Possible Lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Burki, Piszczek, Diallo, Zagadou, Hakimi, Witsel, Delaney, Sancho, Reus, Bruun Larsen, Philipp.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luís, Koke, Rodri, Saúl Ñíguez, Lemar, Costa, Griezmann.