Borussia Dortmund begins their 20th UEFA Champions League campaign this Tuesday with a challenging challenge against Juventus. According to Softfootball, this match marks a return to the venue where BVB celebrated their inaugural away victory in the tournament, and head coach Niko Kovac is optimistic his team can perform at a high level again.
In a post-match interview with midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, reported on the team’s official website, the coach acknowledged Juventus’s significant home advantage but emphasized the depth and balance of his squad. Softfootball also concurs that the match is set to be fiercely contested; indeed, a 2-2 scoreline was forecasted in the game’s preview.
He stated:
We want to show that we have the quality to compete here. When everyone is fit, we’re very balanced. There needs to be competition for places. We’ve got players with different profiles – physicality, creativity, work rate – and if we mix that well, we’re in a good position. We’ll need to stretch ourselves, we’ll need to give 100 percent.
As he prepares for his third Champions League season with the team, Marcel Sabitzer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the mindset necessary for success in Europe’s elite competition, especially in light of warnings from Juventus Captain Locatelli about their team’s eagerness for the match.
Sabitzer commented:
Basically, you always go into a tournament to win it, otherwise there’s no point in even showing up. It’s something special, the biggest stage possible for a player at club level. We’re well equipped and very flexible. Opponents don’t know in advance who they’ll face.
Dortmund made a post via the team’s official X account, announcing their arrival at their opponent’s camp.
They posted:
Kovac confirmed that Julian Brandt is back in the lineup, while Aaron Anselmino will need more time to recover before the upcoming weekend. Pascal Groß may return following a stomach illness, but Salih Özcan is excluded due to UEFA registration regulations.
As Dortmund arrives in Turin, they understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead. Managed by Igor Tudor, Juventus are a formidable opponent, capable of employing various tactical approaches. For Dortmund, this journey starts with confidence, balance, and a desire to showcase their place among Europe’s top teams.
