What Borussia Dortmund need to qualify for the UEFA Champions League round of 16

Borussia Dortmund’s hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 hang in the balance with two matchdays to go in the group stage.

When the draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage was made back in August, the expectation was that Borussia Dortmund would qualify for the round of 16 with relative ease. Four matchdays later, and the Black and Yellows’ hopes of qualification still rest in their own hands. But the situation in Group C is a lot tighter than what they would have liked.

Ajax are top in Group C with 12 points and have already qualified for the round of 16. They are also all but guaranteed to finish as the group winners.

Borussia Dortmund are currently second in Group C, with six points to their name. Third placed Sporting CP also have six points after earning back to back wins over Besiktas. But Marco Rose’s side are currently ahead thanks to their better head to head record with Sporting.

Borussia Dortmund earned a 1-0 win at home to Sporting CP when the two sides met on matchday two of the Champions League group stage in September. The two sides are due to face off again in Portugal in three weeks’ time, and this is where the situation could get a bit tricky for BVB.

A win on matchday five would see Borussia Dortmund qualify for the round of 16. But Sporting CP (+2) have a superior goal difference compared to Dortmund (-4), so the Portuguese side will go second if they get the win on matchday five. And if they manage to win by 2+ goals, Dortmund would be relegated to the Europa League.

A draw in Lisbon would see Borussia Dortmund stay second going into the final matchday. And they will then need to match Sporting CP’s result on matchday six in order to qualify for the round of 16.