UEFA Europa League preview: Borussia Dortmund – Karpaty Lviv
Dortmund’s European blues
Die Schwarzgelben have made a sensational start to this year’s Bundesliga campaign. With winter break approaching fast, Jurgen klopp’s side are top of the league table with a healthy seven point lead over second placed Mainz. Dortmund’s
realistic title challengers are Bayern Leverkusen and Bayern Munich which are lagging Borussia by eleven and fourteen points respectively.
However, Klopp’s men have been unable to translate their domestic form on to European stage. While Die Borussen have been unlucky with the draws; Paris-Saint Germain and Sevilla FC are in the same group, their performances have left a
lot to be desired. The likes of Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa and lucas Barrios have failed to replicate their golden touch on European stage.
With only two games left in the group stage, Borussia must record a victory against a woeful FC Karpaty Lviv outfit. The Ukrainians are yet to register a point and Borussia will be hopeful of keeping their progression hopes alive.
Whitewashed So Far
owing much to their almost non-existent reputation, Karpaty were tagged the punching bag of the group and the Ukrainians. In the four games played so far, Karpaty have scored just three goals while shipping in eleven goals.
Their fate was sealed as early as the fourth round on the back of four consecutive defeats and now, Zelen Levy will only be playing for their pride. Oleh Kononov’s side took on Dortmund on match day one in ruthless fashion and raced on
to take a 3 – 2 lead. However, the club’s inexperience on the big stage and some poor defending gifted Borussia the three points.
On domestic front, Kononov’s mean are doing reasonably well and lie in the fifth place. With winter break approaching and only pride left to play for, Zelen will play with hearts on their sleeves and Borussina will have to be aware of
complacency.
Team News
Borussia Dortmund
Die Borussen will be without a host of players as Lucas Barrios, Sebastian Kehl, Patrick Owomoyela and Mohamed Zidan are all out injured. Kagawa face a race against time to be fit for this clash.
Karpaty Lviv
the Ukrainians travel to Germany without the likes of Mykhaylo Kopolovets, Sergei Zenjov and Oleh Holodyuk as the trio is out injured.
Key Players
Nuri Sahin
The young Turkish playmaker caught the eye of many as a 16-year-old with sublime technique and vision. However, Sahin failed to develop as anticipated and fell from media attention. The spell away from media has done Sahin the world of
good as he has finally come of age this season. The player, together with Kagawa and Barrios, has lit Bundesliga alight with some mesmerising displays and he will be eager to replicate that kind of form on the continental stage.
Andriy Tlumak
The custodian is in for a rough night in Germany. Borussia will test his skill time and time again but for Karpaty to save some pride, Tlumak will have to be on the top of his game.
Prediction
It’s a no contest really. The two teams have a huge gulf in quality that simply can’t be filled by sheer hard work. Borussia to walk out an easy 2 – 0 victory!
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