Die Borussen will start their Champions League campaign against the Eredivisie giants as they look to put behind last year’s shortcomings in the tournament.
Jurgen Klopp’s German double winning side will play Frank de Boer’s Ajax in European football’s premier cup competition on Tuesday, September 18, at the Signal Iduna Park. Both teams won their domestic league titles last season
and are one of the best teams in their respective divisions. Dortmund are favourites to win the exciting clash.
Borussia Dortmund
The BVB suffered a group stage exit in last year’s edition of the Champions League after finishing fourth in the group, and will be hoping to learn from their bitter experience. The 1997 Champions League winners would be looking
forward to impress in the competition and get a positive start in their first game at home.
Dortmund have won back-to-back league titles in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 and have given Bayern Munich a major challenge in all domestic competitions. They defeated Die Roten 5-2 in DFB-Pokal cup final and are one of the best teams in Europe. This
season their main priority will be to do well in Europe, and at-least go past the group stages format.
The Ruhr side is back to top form after beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the league game after a dodgy start to the new campaign and are currently in 5th position. The Bundesliga outfit has a poor record against the Dutch
champions and lost both at home and away in their head to head in 1995-96 Champions League tie.
Ajax
On the other hand, Frank de Boer has a young side for the elite cup competition and only http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Babel-c31971
in the summer transfer window from German club Hoffenheim.
Babel will be a major player in the game as he is the most valuable man making 32 appearances and netting seven times in the tournament. Moreover, Ajax have not went past the group stage in the last six years, as their last knockout
clash was a defeat at the hands of Serie A club http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
Team News
Jurgen Klopp will have a full squad to choose from as all his players are fit to play and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sven-Bender-c34386 has also been selected in
the team squad after a long lay-off due to a hernia problem.
Furthermore, De Boer face a massive injury crisis with three first team players such as Nicolai Boilesen, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Siem-de-Jong-c33482 will makeshift at midfield
position.
Players to watch
Reus will dictate the game for the Black Yellows and is a tremendous talent. He was voted the German Footballer of the Year last year and has a great eye for goal.
Babel has a great opportunity to show that he is still capable of playing for a top European club and showcase his talent. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 and Hoffenheim.
Prediction
The home team will win the tie as they have a more experienced side and are in good form. Dortmund will achieve victory with a
2-1 margin.
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