Two teams in crisis take on each other in the Champions League on Tuesday. Both sides will try to put in convincing displays in a bid to bring their seasons back on track.
Robert Tesche found the back of the net after a scuffle in the penalty area on match-day one. Even then, the Hamburg fans knew the final result was never really in doubt. BVB had won and they had done so in style. Four match-days later, Juergen Klopp told the press that his side needs to improve. Nobody in Dortmund is labeling the current run of poor form as a ‘crisis’ yet.
Arsenal had been torn apart in the Premier League until Saturday. Suspensions, injuries and luck had all played their parts. Arsene Wenger made some new signings who impressed on Saturday against Swansea. Mikel Arteta was quite impressive and is looking forward to traveling to the Signal Iduna Park. Per Mertesacker seems to be the insider for Wenger, giving him information about German football.
Dortmund put in a very average display on Saturday against Hertha and paid the price. Hertha was just faster to every loose ball. Dortmund lost the ball many more times than they would like to and the dynamism just wasn’t there. Mario Götze was suspended for the match as was Sebastian Kehl.
Kehl doesn’t usually find a starting berth in the team but he might have been the replacement for Ilkay Guendogan then. Guendogan is talented but he hasn’t exactly grown into the role that he was supposed to take on. Nuri Sahin’s departure left a big hole in the starting eleven and choosing Guendogan wasn’t a foolish choice. Guendogan just needs more time.
Kevin Grosskreutz really needs to step up for the club he supported as a child. He wasn’t exactly a large threat for Dortmund against Berlin. Hertha’s build-up play was great. However, they were helped by slight misunderstandings between Roman Weidenfeller and his defence for both the goals which is quite uncommon really.
Arsenal somehow managed to beat Swansea. Swansea wasted golden chances to equalize. While Arsenal did create chances, the back-four wasn’t convincing. The return of Alex Song and Gervinho to the side will really help the Gunners in their fight against Dortmund.
For Dortmund, the key will be breaking down Arsenal’s defence. This has happened several times this season already and Dortmund will obviously have their chances. BVB’s conversion rate is one of the poorest in Europe and despite looking lethargic against Hertha, they did waste some good chances.
For Arsenal, the key will be to ensure that the attacking trio of Shinji Kagawa, Kevin Grosskreutz and Mario Götze don’t click. Wenger knows all about Götze as he tried to sign him in the summer. Mario elected to stay on with the Ruhr side.
This game will come down to taking chances. Both teams have looked vulnerable in defence at times this season, especially Arsenal. Both teams have wasted a plethora of chances. However, with Gotze back in the side, Dortmund might just have the edge in Germany.
Kehl might start this game in order to prevent Arsenal from attacking. Kehl has the experience needed for the role. This means Sven Bender will have to play the ‘Sahin’ role. Bender can pass and attack well and Juergen Klopp just might gamble and play Kehl and Bender together in defensive midfield.
Whatever happens, both teams will look to attack each other as that is the only way they know how to play. The game should be highly entertaining for fans and neutrals alike. The final will be hosted in Munich this time. The last team to win a Champions League final held in Munich is Dortmund.
If Dortmund is to emulate the class of 1997, they have to find a way out of this mini-crisis. They can start by beating the ailing Gunners.
Arsenal had been torn apart in the Premier League until Saturday. Suspensions, injuries and luck had all played their parts. Arsene Wenger made some new signings who impressed on Saturday against Swansea. Mikel Arteta was quite impressive and is looking forward to traveling to the Signal Iduna Park. Per Mertesacker seems to be the insider for Wenger, giving him information about German football.
Dortmund put in a very average display on Saturday against Hertha and paid the price. Hertha was just faster to every loose ball. Dortmund lost the ball many more times than they would like to and the dynamism just wasn’t there. Mario Götze was suspended for the match as was Sebastian Kehl.
Kehl doesn’t usually find a starting berth in the team but he might have been the replacement for Ilkay Guendogan then. Guendogan is talented but he hasn’t exactly grown into the role that he was supposed to take on. Nuri Sahin’s departure left a big hole in the starting eleven and choosing Guendogan wasn’t a foolish choice. Guendogan just needs more time.
Kevin Grosskreutz really needs to step up for the club he supported as a child. He wasn’t exactly a large threat for Dortmund against Berlin. Hertha’s build-up play was great. However, they were helped by slight misunderstandings between Roman Weidenfeller and his defence for both the goals which is quite uncommon really.
Arsenal somehow managed to beat Swansea. Swansea wasted golden chances to equalize. While Arsenal did create chances, the back-four wasn’t convincing. The return of Alex Song and Gervinho to the side will really help the Gunners in their fight against Dortmund.
For Dortmund, the key will be breaking down Arsenal’s defence. This has happened several times this season already and Dortmund will obviously have their chances. BVB’s conversion rate is one of the poorest in Europe and despite looking lethargic against Hertha, they did waste some good chances.
For Arsenal, the key will be to ensure that the attacking trio of Shinji Kagawa, Kevin Grosskreutz and Mario Götze don’t click. Wenger knows all about Götze as he tried to sign him in the summer. Mario elected to stay on with the Ruhr side.
This game will come down to taking chances. Both teams have looked vulnerable in defence at times this season, especially Arsenal. Both teams have wasted a plethora of chances. However, with Gotze back in the side, Dortmund might just have the edge in Germany.
Kehl might start this game in order to prevent Arsenal from attacking. Kehl has the experience needed for the role. This means Sven Bender will have to play the ‘Sahin’ role. Bender can pass and attack well and Juergen Klopp just might gamble and play Kehl and Bender together in defensive midfield.
Whatever happens, both teams will look to attack each other as that is the only way they know how to play. The game should be highly entertaining for fans and neutrals alike. The final will be hosted in Munich this time. The last team to win a Champions League final held in Munich is Dortmund.
If Dortmund is to emulate the class of 1997, they have to find a way out of this mini-crisis. They can start by beating the ailing Gunners.
