An analysis of Borussia Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League group stage opponents
Another Champions League campaign is upon us after so much anticipation from all the clubs across the continent that achieved a spot in the group stage. Borussia Dortmund will have to overcome the challenge of PSG, AC Milan, and Newcastle United as they look to make it to the round of 16.
Borussia Dortmund have been placed in the famously-known “group of death” for this season’s UEFA Champions League. The Black and Yellows are in Group F, where they will go up against Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle United.
Edin Terzic’s side will certainly need to be at their best and grind out results if they want to go through the next round. Here is a dissection of BVB’s three opponents from Group F and the viable pathways for BVB to survive this nightmare of a group.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain may not be the same threat as last season following the exits of Lionel Messi and Neymar. But they still have Kylian Mbappé in their ranks, and the French superstar will be responsible for leading the PSG team this season.
In terms of new faces, PSG were pretty busy during the transfer window, bringing in the likes of former BVB player Ousmane Dembélé and talented striker Randal Kolo Muani.
The coaching staff was also renewed, with former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique taking the reigns. All these factors could mean a rebuild at PSG, as the Spaniard will demand time to adapt his style of play in a completely remoulded roaster. And setbacks might be (and are) part of the process.
After five matches in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain are in fifth place with eight points (2W, 2D, 1L). They suffered their first loss in the season on Friday, a 3-2 defeat at home to OGC Nice. As the current French champions are still looking for more consistency, Dortmund could take advantage of the situation.
Despite that, BVB are also in search of that same stability and certainly cannot match the star-power of PSG. So we could be in for quite the clash between these two teams.
In tactical terms, PSG have been playing in a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappé and Dembélé being the clear individual threats to a fragile BVB defence. On the other hand, BVB could explore PSG’s right side, with Achraf Hakimi usually not the most adept at maintaining his defensive duties. In that sense, Karim Adeyemi and Donyell Malen could make an impact.
The biggest battle BVB will have to win is in midfield. PSG have a new trio in Manuel Ugarte, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, which looks to be a free-flowing passing-oriented combination on paper. While Luis Enrique likes to work with possession, the BVB midfielders will need to become defensively disciplined, precise, and direct whilst having the ball to avoid PSG taking complete control of the game.