MX23RW : Saturday, February 16 21:10:47

Focus on Borussia Dortmund ahead of Tottenham clash

Focus on Borussia Dortmund ahead of Tottenham clash
© Reuters
Spurs are hoping to better their achievements of last year.

Tottenham resume their Champions League campaign when Borussia Dortmund visit Wembley in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Spurs are hoping to better their achievements of last year and make it to the quarter-finals, but will face a tough test.

Here, Press Association takes a closer look at the German side.

Sizzling Sancho

Borussia Dortmund Training and Press Conference – Wembley Stadium
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho is a big threat for Spurs (John Walton/PA)

One man who Tottenham need to be concerned about will need no introduction. Jadon Sancho burst into the limelight following his England call-up before Christmas and he is in fine form. He scored one and made the other two goals for Dortmund in their 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim at the weekend and the teenager is tearing up the Bundesliga this season. Still only 18, Sancho has bagged eight goals and provided 11 assists in 28 games and whoever plays at left-back for Tottenham, likely to be Jan Vertonghen, might have a sleepless night tonight. Sancho forgot his passport on the way over to London, and Spurs will be hoping he forgot his boots as well!

Leading the way

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Final – Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich – Wembley Stadium
Bourssia Dortmund have drawn their last three games (Adam Davy/PA)

Dortmund are in a fine position to claim their first Bundesliga title since 2012 as they sit five points clear at the summit. That was recently nine, but back-to-back draws have seen Bayern Munich cut that gap. Lucien Favre's side will still fancying their chances of finishing the season as champions. They have played a highly attacking brand of football, which has seen them fire in 54 goals and have only been stopped from scoring only once. The German media are suggesting they are going through a crisis because they have drawn their last three games in all competitions and they will be keen to put that right at Wembley.

Robbed of Reus

Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund – UEFA Europa League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – Anfield
Marco Reus has been ruled out through injury (Peter Byrne/PA)

Tottenham will be encouraged by the absence of Dortmund captain Marco Reus, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury. The winger picked up the injury in a cup game with Werder Bremen a fortnight ago and has been unable to shake off the problem. The German side will miss Reus' threat, which has seen him score 17 goals and create 13 others in all competitions this season. A number of other players are out for Favre's men as well, as flu has swept the camp.

Last time out

Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund – UEFA Champions League – Group H – Wembley
Harry Kane was a key man last time Spurs faced Dortmund (Nick Potts/PA)

Although Dortmund are a different side now, Tottenham have positive memories of playing against them in the Champions League as they won both games in the group stage last season. Mauricio Pochettino's side rolled them over 3-1 at Wembley as Harry Kane's double added to Son Heung-min's early opener and the same two players delivered again in a 2-1 win at the Signal Iduna Park, which helped Spurs top the group ahead of Real Madrid.

Wembley woe?

Tottenham Hotspur v Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League – Group B – Wembley Stadium
Wembley is Tottenham's current home (Nick Potts/PA)

Dortmund might be hesitant about returning to Wembley as they have lost both games they have played here in the Champions League. Along with their defeat to Spurs last season they were also beaten in the 2012-13 campaign when Jurgen Klopp's side lost to Bayern Munich in the final that was held at the national stadium to commemorate the Football Association's 150th anniversary. Dortmund have lifted Europe's premier cup competition, though, as they won the 1996-97 version. They also won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965-66.

Share this article now:
Jadon Sancho in action for Borussia Dortmund on October 6, 2018
Read Next:
Delaney keeping Sancho grounded at Dortmund amid passport faux pas
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
FA Cup
Championship
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Primeira Liga
Eredivisie
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
League One
League Two
National League
Scottish Championship
Scottish Challenge Cup
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Welsh Premier League
Argentine Primera Division
Liga MX
Uruguayan Primera Division
Australian A-League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Ligue 2
2.Bundesliga
Indian I-League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account