In a pivotal Champions League encounter, Borussia Dortmund is poised to challenge Inter Milan. This fixture holds significant importance for both clubs, as a win is crucial for advancing their positions within the tournament. Dortmund, fresh off a morale-boosting domestic victory, seeks to rebound from a recent European setback, while Inter Milan, despite strong league form, aims to solidify their continental aspirations.
Borussia Dortmund enters this match with the urgent need to rectify their previous Champions League performance, a disappointing 2-0 loss in London. This result left them with 11 points, placing them sixteenth and two points adrift of the coveted top-eight direct qualification spots. Given the competitive landscape with numerous teams vying for these positions, securing a win is paramount, though achieving a top-eight finish appears to be a challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, their recent commanding 3-0 triumph over 1.FC Union Berlin in domestic league play should provide a much-needed confidence boost as they approach this critical European fixture.
Inter Milan finds themselves in a similar predicament, positioned fourteenth and just a single point ahead of their German counterparts. A victory would significantly enhance their prospects for securing a top-eight slot or at least ensuring a more favorable opponent in the play-off rounds. However, their aspirations suffered a blow with a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in their last European outing. Despite these European struggles, the Nerazzurri have maintained an impressive run in Serie A, currently leading the league table by a five-point margin over their city rivals, AC Milan, underscoring their robust domestic form.
Historically, matches between these two clubs have been tightly contested. Across their four previous encounters, Inter Milan has claimed two victories, Dortmund one, and one match ended in a draw. Dortmund's memorable 3-2 victory over the Italian side in 2019 could serve as an inspiring precedent for the home team as they prepare for this crucial showdown.
Regarding team news, Daniel Svensson is unavailable for Dortmund due to a suspension incurred from a red card in their last Champions League match. Additionally, Niklas Süle, dealing with a back issue, and Marcel Sabitzer, nursing a calf injury, are both listed as minor doubts for the upcoming game. For Inter Milan, full-back Denzel Dumfries is expected to remain sidelined until at least March as he recovers from ankle surgery. Furthermore, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, the former Leverkusen and HSV midfielder, is unlikely to be risked for the Dortmund fixture due to a calf concern.
This impending match is set to be a fiercely contested battle, with both Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan acutely aware of the high stakes involved. The outcome will significantly impact their respective campaigns in the Champions League, making it a must-watch encounter for football enthusiasts.