Borussia Dortmund play Sabah FK in the Champions League tonight, aiming to pick themselves up from the loss in Norway last week. Having begun their European sojourn with a narrow 3-2 defeat of Villarreal at home, the BVB went down 1-0 against Bodo/Glimt, leaving them trailing in 18th place of the standings. Another setback today would hamper their progression chances. Here are the three players that Niko Kovac's side must keep quiet to have a chance of winning in Baku:
1) Joy-Lance Mickels
Veljko Simic is Sabah FK's top-scorer in European games, including the qualifying fixtures, with six goals. But his attacking momentum has fizzled out over their last few games with Joy-Lance Mickels taking over the mantle of their goalscoring talisman. He also scored the second goal of their 2-0 win against Slavia Praha last time out.
After spending years in Germany's lower divisions, the Rwandan international has found his feet with the Azeri side. Predominantly a left winger, he's also comfortable operating from the centre, a quality that makes him potent in attacking transitions. Top-scorer in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season, Mickels is also a devastating finisher.
Dortmund centre-backs could have their hands full against him.
2) Tymoteusz Puchacz
Sabah FK have their own Julian Ryerson, but on the left flank, as Tymoteusz Puchacz is one of their most important creative outlets. With six assists already this season, he's been a major source of goalscoring chances for them, teeing up a goal against The New Saints, KuPS and in both legs against Hapoel Be'er Sheva during their qualifier run.
The 27-year-old Polish would a real test of Joane Gadou's mettle here, his overlapping runs on the right offering Sabah FK plenty of width. If Gadou can clamp down on the player, Sabah's central players in and around the box would be cut off from his dangerous crosses.
3) Umarali Rakhmonaliev
Even if Dortmund manage to keep Sabah FK's attacking frontline quiet, the Owls have another trump card up their sleeve in Umarali Rakhmonaliev. A defensive midfielder by trade, the Uzbek international is adept at creating chances from the deep, having conjured nine such chances for them this season.
Dortmund will have the envious task of limiting his impact on the match by cutting off his passing lanes. If Rakhmonaliev has time and space on the ball, he will be vital in progressing their attacks. Pressing him before he links up would destabilize their attacking rhythm.
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