Dortmund, Germany – Borussia Dortmund purpose to take “a giant step” in direction of direct qualification for the Champions League spherical of 16 with victory towards Barcelona on Wednesday, regardless of the dangerous information that centre-back Niklas Süle will likely be out of motion for months.
“We’ll play with a number of braveness. We is not going to change our thought,” coach Nuri Sahin advised reporters on Tuesday.
Final season’s runners-up Dortmund and Barca, the place former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is in cost, have 12 factors every, and in third and fourth place are on the right track in direction of a top-eight end granting the direct final 16 entry.
Dortmund have been a significant power at house this season, dropping their solely factors there in a 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Bayern Munich.
Dortmund to take large step
“If we pull it off tomorrow, we’ll take a very large step in direction of the highest eight. Barcelona are neighbours within the desk, we wish to win the sport tomorrow,” Sahin mentioned.
“There is no such thing as a favorite tomorrow. We’re enjoying on the identical stage. We’re able to successful the sport. We’ll see a sport tomorrow by which the shape on the day will play a giant function.”
Sahin named Barca, who’ve struggled recently in La Liga however earlier beat Bayern 4-1 in Europe and Actual Madrid 4-0 within the Clasico, “a really, superb opponent with a unprecedented coach.”
Süle shock
Dortmund method the match within the wake of their newest and most devastating harm information as Sahin revealed that Süle will likely be out of motion for months with an ankle harm that had already sidelined him for weeks in October.
Sahin mentioned he suffered a syndesmosis harm once more throughout Saturday’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Borussia Möchengladbach.
“Niklas Süle will likely be out for a number of months. It’s a extreme harm,” he mentioned. “I talked to him final night time. He was additionally very shocked.
“It is extremely, very bitter as a result of we’d have actually, actually wanted him.”
Others additionally absent
Süle is just not the one participant lacking on Wednesday, with centre-back Waldemar Anton and midfielder Julian Brandt additionally unavailable. Ahead Maximilian Beier is uncertain.
“We now have a terrific squad, regardless of who’s on the pitch tomorrow. It really works effectively with each participant,” goalkeeper Gregor Kobel mentioned defiantly.
(dpa)
