Being late and conceding too many goals caused unrest at BVB. On Tuesday there will be another taste of success against Villarreal. At the same time, Bayer Leverkusen must defend against Manchester City and Erling Haaland. Champions League in live ticker.
Borussia Dortmund – FC Villarreal -:-
Manchester City – Bayer Leverkusen -:-
With victory from a crisis of meaning: Borussia Dortmund desperately needs another taste of success in the Champions League. After three games without three in a row, there is debate about a recurring pattern of defensive mistakes. Before Tuesday’s (9pm) fifth preliminary round match against Villarreal FC, coach Niko Kovac worked hard to ensure that the notoriously restless environment did not rub off on his team. “For us it means winning the game at home tomorrow. That is our clear aim,” Kovac demanded of his team on Monday.
Conceding eight goals in three games was too much for BVB, and late goals against HSV and Stuttgart were also worrying. The fact that Dortmund are no longer confident of maintaining a narrow lead over time is cause for concern. “We have to defend it like there is no tomorrow. We definitely still have room for improvement,” admitted Kovac.
Villarreal top in Spain, failed in the Champions League
Opinions on this seem to differ within the team. “We can’t make a big drama out of this. We will show a different face in the next few weeks,” said defender Waldemar Anton. “We are certainly stable enough to turn things around again.”
Preferably against Villarreal. The Spaniard has only picked up one point from four matches in the premier class and among others lost to FC Pafos of Cyprus. However, in the Primera Division, the team from nearby Valencia is currently the third strongest force behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Bayer Leverkusen had a tough away match against Manchester City in the Champions League. On Tuesday evening, Werkself will play the fifth matchday of the league phase at the Manchester City Stadium against star coach Pep Guardiola’s team, who are still unbeaten in the first class.
