20:39
Reaching the semi-finals would be a big deal for both sides. Because even if both names are associated with the final rounds of the premier class, it has been a while since they were last in the top four. Borussia hasn’t been in the semi-finals since reaching the final in 2013, and Atlético hasn’t been in the semi-finals since 2017 (semi-final loss to Real Madrid).
20:25
The guests from Madrid were also able to score three points in the domestic league at the weekend. Despite an early deficit, the Rojiblancos won the difficult home game against third-placed Girona 3-1 thanks to a Griezmann brace. Atleti has won four of the last five competitive games and comes to the Ruhr with a correspondingly big chest. Diego Simeone was correspondingly relaxed in advance. “I trust my players and am sure that they will play a great game,” said the visiting coach, for whom one thing is most important: “We have to be mentally strong and play the way we always play.”
20:11
Dortmund gained self-confidence for the task ahead at the weekend in the Bundesliga. At Borussenderby in Mönchengladbach, despite being long outnumbered and thanks to a brace from Marcel Sabitzer, they achieved a 2-1 away win that keeps BVB in the race for renewed Champions League qualification. Julian Brandt has a clear plan so that he can celebrate again this evening. “We have to be patient, calm and focused. We have to be efficient,” said the Dortmund midfielder. Coach Terzić relies above all on the audience: “We are sure that our fans will create a great atmosphere and we want to repay it with a good performance.”
20:07
For the guests, coach Diego Simeone has to do without the suspended Samuel Lino, but can rely on Mario Hermoso, who missed the first leg. Compared to the first leg, this is the only change at Atlético. Meanwhile, Simone rested some energy in the league at the weekend and is now bringing back Álvaro Morata, Marcos Llorente, Azpilicueta, Giménez and Witsel. Savić, Reinildo, Rodrigo Riquelme, Saúl Niguez and Ángel Correa have to sit on the bench.
20:03
A quick look at the line-ups: BVB coach Edin Terzić rotates a lot in the third game in six days and makes five changes compared to Saturday. Sebastian Haller is out injured, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Salih Özcan, Niklas Süle and Marius Wolf are also on the bench. Mats Hummels is back in central defense, alongside Julian Ryerson at outside. Emre Can takes over the six-man position and Niclas Füllkrug and Jadon Sancho are back in the starting eleven.
19:58
After the 1:2 in the first leg last Wednesday, the starting position for BVB is not the best. However, it could also be much worse. After a disastrous first half hour, Dortmund were already 2-0 down at the Wanda Metropolitano and were on the verge of losing all chances of reaching the semi-finals in the first leg. A significant increase in performance after the break and Joker Haller’s goal gave the black and yellow hope again. But the task remains tricky: a win is essential today in order to at least achieve extra time.
Hello and welcome to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg between Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid! The ball rolls in Signal Iduna Park at 9 p.m.!
