Pre-Match Analysis: Borussia Dortmund faces Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs

The Black-and-Yellows will play Sporting Lisbon in the first leg in Portugal, which will decide who advances to the round of 16.
Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8
Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 | Stuart Franklin/GettyImages
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Team News

Ramy Bensebaini, Dmytro Riznyk
Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 | Stuart Franklin/GettyImages

Borussia Dortmund — WWLLW — 10th: Borussia Dortmund will have a nearly fully-fitted squad for Tuesday's match. The only guaranteed absences will be Felix Nmecha, who is still recovering from a ligament injury, and Ramy Bensebaini, due to a muscle strain against Stuttgart. At the same time, Filippo Mane is questionable due to a thigh injury. Besides that, Carney Chukwuemeka will be back from precautionary absence, and there are no suspensions or other senior players unavailable, which gives Niko Kovač plenty of options to work with.

Sporting Lisbon — WLLLD — 23rd: Sporting has some good and bad news regarding squad depth for this match. Viktor Gyökeres and Hidemasa Morita should be available for selection since they returned from injury and played in the second half against Porto on the weekend. On the other hand, the Lions' captain Morten Hjulmand will be out with a suspension, while important players like Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, and Geny Catamo remain out recovering from injuries. Still, Sporting will bring a solid XI to face Dortmund in Lisbon.