Borussia Dortmund can launch themselves back into the top eight of the Champions League league phase if they beat Norway’s Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday evening. This is the first time that these two si...
Borussia Dortmund can launch themselves back into the top eight of the Champions League league phase if they beat Norway’s Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday evening.
This is the first time that these two sides of met. With BVB only losing once in the competition this year (to Manchester City), they’ll fancy their chances against a side that is yet to register a win from five matchdays. However, as we become more and more familiar with the side applying their trade in the Arctic Circle, nothing should be taken for granted.
Borussia Dortmund
Niko Kovac’s side have been going strong both domestically and in European competition this year. Coming off the back of an impressive 2-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim on the weekend, they’ll fancy their chances of getting back into the automatic qualification spaces with just two more matchdays to go.
Dortmund fans would have been more apprehensive if this game was being played in Norway, given that Bodø/Glimt have beaten the likes of Roma and Lazio in previous years on their astro pitch. However, BVB have only lost once in 20 Champions League matches at home – winning 13 and drawing six.
The man to watch out for on Wednesday has to be Serhou Guirassy, having scored 18 goals in 23 Champions League outings. This impressive stat is only bettered by Erling Haaland during his time in Yellow Black.
It will also be interesting to see how much of a role Fabio Silva plays. The Portuguese forward is frustrated with his playing time since joining from Wolves in the summer. The player is keen on a winter loan, but BVB bosses have no such thoughts and want to keep him. With this in mind, you feel he has to start getting more regular run-outs.
Ultimately, regardless of who plays, Dortmund will be expecting all three points on Wednesday evening.
Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt have just finished their domestic league in Norway, which runs throughout the summer. For the first time in a few years, the club has failed to retain the Norwegian title, losing out to Viking FK on the final day.
With the disappointment domestically, there hasn’t been too much to cheer for in European competition either. From five matchdays, Bodø/Glimt have drawn twice and lost three times. However, it’s worth pointing out that one draw was against Tottenham Hotspur when the North London side travelled to the Arctic back in September.
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Borussia Dortmund
Apart from Niklas Süle, BVB have a full squad of players to choose from. It’s hard to see Niko Kovac picking anything but the team that dispatched Hoffenheim last weekend.
Bodø/Glimt
The Norwegian side only have Jostein Gundersen missing through suspension for this tie, having been sent off against Monaco last month. Possibly one player to watch out for is Kasper Høgh. The Dane finished second in the goalscoring charts in the Norwegian league (17 goals in 28 appearances).
BVB will expect to dominate this one and should have too much for the traveling side. With the possibility of putting themselves in a great position to finish in the top eight, you feel they have to take it on Wednesday evening.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
Category: General Sports
