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UEFA Champions League Draw: Best and worst case scenarios for Borussia Dortmund

By Abdullah Mamaniyat

Champions League's ambassador Turkish former footballer Hamit Altintop shows the paper slip of Borussia Dortmund during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League football tournament in Nyon on November 7, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Champions League's ambassador Turkish former footballer Hamit Altintop shows the paper slip of Borussia Dortmund during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League football tournament in Nyon on November 7, 2022. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Feyenoord are in pot one for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw
Feyenoord are in pot one for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. (Photo by Peter Lous/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

The best case scenario

  • Feyenoord
  • Borussia Dortmund
  • Red Star Belgrade
  • Celtic

Feyenoord

The Dutch champions have done well to land themselves in the position they are in ahead of the draw, with many thanks to their manager Arne Slot on last season’s success. However on a gut reaction, they stick out like a sore thumb as the Pot 1 team that teams in Pot 2, 3 and 4 will be hoping to go up against.

Slot likes his team to play an entertaining brand of football, usually in a 4-3-3 formation exploiting the wings. It is interesting that Dortmund also like to maintain their width so that their offence is well equipped down the flanks, so a matchup between the two would make for an exciting watch in that area.

Feyenoord have started the Eredivise season in slow fashion, recording two draws in their first two games. Although they did claim a rampant 6-1 win last weekend against Almere. Being drawn against Feyenoord would possibly give Borussia Dortmund a clear run at finishing on top of their group.

Red Star Belgrade

Red Star have been electric in the early stages of the Serbian league so far, scoring 18 goals in 5 matches – just one point behind first place. They are averaging 3.6 goals per game in 2023/24 so far under their new manager Barak Bakhar.

The Marakana can provide an intimidating atmosphere for any team, and would be a fantastic away day for many Dortmund fans.

From the teams in Pot 3 and ones that Dortmund will be eligible to be drawn against, Red Star would class as a team that are not used to facing a high standard of opposition regularly enough to deal with Terzic’s side on their best day.

Celtic

As for another great away day, Celtic Park has given some magical nights of upsets in the Champions League over the last decade.

Here is another team that is finding its feet under a new but old manager in Brendan Rodgers. The Hoops parted ways with Ange Postecoglu this summer, who is transforming Tottenham Hotspur in a similar way to his playing style that brought much success at Celtic.

Rodgers himself brought an unprecedented level of dominance to Celtic in his first spell as manager, but is struggling to get the best out of his side early on in the season.

Next. Borussia Dortmund's greatest Champions League moments. dark

The team is lacking the creativity, spark and elegance of last season despite topping the Scottish Premier League after three games. It would be highly unlikely that Rodgers can get this side to gel perfectly by the time Champions League fixtures come around in September, so a draw with Borussia Dortmund could be an opportune time to face them.

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