Borussia Dortmund to face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs

The UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs have been drawn, and Borussia Dortmund will take on Sporting CP in a two-legged, home & away knockout fixture. 

Dortmund finished the UCL league phase in tenth place, with five wins and three losses. Sporting meanwhile, finished twenty-third with eleven points from three wins, three losses and a pair of draws. Borussia Dortmund will be the favorite to win this tie.

The first leg will be held in Portugal on February 11/12, while the second leg will be in the Westfalenstadion the following week, February 18/19. As the higher-seeded team, Borussia Dortmund will receive a slight advantage by hosting the second leg. 

Sporting and Dortmund’s last meeting came during the UEFA Champions League grpup stage in the 2021-22 season. Dortmund won the home match 1-0, Donyell Malen the goal-scorer. Dortmund were trounced in Portugal 3-1, however with an Emre Can red card, and the Black and yellow’s only goal coming again from Donyell Malen.

How will new manager Niko Kovac handle the fresh Champions League challenge? I guess we’ll find out is just a couple weeks!