Borussia Dortmund will enter the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout tie against Sporting CP with a 3-0 advantage. With a massive 97.1% chance to progress, according to Opta, Dortmund’s path to the last 16 seems almost inevitable. The German side’s dominance in the first leg and strong historical record in away knockout matches make them favorites to secure their spot in the next round. Let’s examine this exciting clash and what’s at stake for both teams.
Dortmund’s Strong Position
Borussia Dortmund’s performance in the first leg has left them with an almost unassailable lead. A 3-0 victory in Lisbon has set the Black and Yellows up perfectly to advance to the last 16 for a third successive season. Dortmund has won the first leg of their knockout ties away from home 11 times before, and on each occasion, they have gone on to progress. Despite a less-than-ideal home form recently, they have suffered narrow defeats, with three of their last seven home matches being one-goal losses. This pattern is something they can afford to continue, with the aggregate score heavily in their favor.
Dortmund’s incredible record of averaging over 2 goals per game (2.2) at home in their last 15 UCL matches adds further weight to their chances. With players like Karim Adeyemi in top form, scoring five goals in his previous seven UCL starts at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund will be confident of seeing off Sporting CP, even if they suffer another close loss.
Sporting CP’s Struggles and Priorities
For Sporting CP, the task seems almost impossible. They are facing a monumental challenge with a 3-0 deficit to overturn. The Portuguese side has a poor record against German opposition, managing only one win in 14 UEFA away games (W1, D1). Despite having a squad with the youngest average age of any remaining UCL team (24 years), Sporting CP’s focus seems to be shifting towards domestic matters.
Their new coach, Rui Borges, has already signaled that the final stretch of the Liga Portugal season will be the priority. Sporting CP’s 2-2 draw over the weekend against a formidable opponent indicates their attention is now on securing the top spot in the domestic league. With the tie against Dortmund likely out of reach, Sporting must show resilience and fight for pride in this second leg.
Key Players to Watch
- Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund): Adeyemi is a crucial player with four goals from his last three UCL starts and five strikes in his previous seven games at Signal Iduna Park. His pace and goal-scoring ability will be key in punishing any lapses in Sporting’s defense.
- Conrad Harder (Sporting CP): The talented Sporting CP teenager has been in outstanding form, directly contributing to five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last five appearances. While his team’s prospects look slim, Harder’s brilliance could provide a glimmer of hope.
Prediction
Given Dortmund’s strong position and recent home form, they are favorites to advance. Sporting CP will likely put up a spirited fight, but with their focus already on the league, it’s hard to see them overturning a 3-0 deficit. Dortmund’s offensive power and solid defensive record should see them through to the next round.
Score Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Sporting CP (Dortmund progresses 5-1 on aggregate).
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