Tonight, Borussia Dortmund are set to visit OSC Lille for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, kicking off at 18:45. Coach Niko Kovac has opted for a significant reshuffle in defence, introducing a few surprises. It’s a case of win or bust for Dortmund, who face the very real prospect of an early exit, marking a dismal end to what has been a frustrating season. A defeat against Lille this evening would not only seal their Champions League fate but also leave them floundering in mediocrity until mid-May.
Kovac has made four changes from the side that suffered a 0-1 defeat to FC Augsburg last Saturday. The manager has opted to drop both full-backs, Ramy Bensebaini and Yan Couto, replacing them with Waldemar Anton on the right and Julian Ryerson on the left. Additionally, Maximilian Beier gets a nod to start ahead of Jamie Gittens on the left flank, while Marcel Sabitzer steps in for Salih Özcan in midfield. The inclusion of Anton is particularly noteworthy; the former Stuttgart man is usually a centre-back and steps into unfamiliar territory. It’s been a while since he last featured prominently, with his last Bundesliga start dating back to February 8, and January 21 in the Champions League.
As for the line-ups:
- Lille: Chevalier – Meunier, Diakité, Alexsandro, Ismaily – André – Mukau, Bouaddi – Cabella, David, Haraldsson
- Dortmund: Kobel – Anton, Can, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson – Sabitzer, Groß – Adeyemi, Brandt, Beier – Guirassy
If you’re wondering how to catch the action, the game won’t be aired on free-to-air TV. However, fans can tune in to DAZN for live streaming and follow the live ticker updates on SPORT1.
Kovac explained his strategy to DAZN, mentioning, “We’ve made some changes. Maxi is in as I expect him to support Meunier’s defensive play. Meunier tends to push forward a lot. Ryerson is on the left, and Waldi comes into the mix. I believe this will give us three defenders capable of strong passing and building play.” Notably, Bensebaini is fasting for Ramadan, which has also influenced his selection. Kovac acknowledged the challenge of managing energy levels during this period, stating, “It certainly takes a toll.”
With everything on the line, the stage is set for what could be a make-or-break evening for Borussia Dortmund.
