Champions League Round of 16 Preview
Borussia Dortmund re enjoying a great run in the domestic league with a 7-point margin and. The lost only 1 match in the first 20 league games played. The Bundesliga leaders, BVB 09 aka Borussia Dortmund, will face a Tottenham Hotspur side sans-Harry Kane and Dele Alli.
Without two of its best players the German side are favorites to win the tie against the team ranked 3rd in the Premier League. If you are fond of Champions League betting, next week is the time to play and place your bet on the best odds. Many ties are deemed to be very close and will be exciting to follow.
Drawn in the very competitive group with FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, Tottenham qualified on the last day of the group stage and finished second. Borussia Dortmund had an easier first round finishing first in their group in front of Atlético Madrid.
The Spurs have had a rough start of the year losing two star players to long-term injuries. Others players have been asked to step-up and the team sits at 3rd place in the Premier League with 57 points. Yet, coach Pochettino highlights the fighting spirit of his team. He believes in his chances to advance to the Champions League quarterfinal:
Tottenham coach, Pochettino:
“We feel so proud and with all the circumstances the team is doing fantastically. The performance of the squad is unbelievable.
Football is a collective sport and we are showing great character, personality and very good quality, fighting against big sides and being in a position that’s very close to the top.
We hope to keep going in the same direction, trying to get the best results to try to be competitive and at the end, to fight for big things. Yes, it’s game by game, the same mindset… football is step by step.”
Dortmund coach, Favre:
He stresses the importance of keeping his squad fresh for the clash against the English club. “We want and need to rotate. Rotation is compulsory. Otherwise it’s too much physically, and mentally too.
I believe we have a 50-50 chance in our tie with Tottenham. It’s the third time the two clubs have faced each other in European competition in the space of three years. The head-to-head record currently stands at 1-1. We want to go through!”
