02 November 2021, 10:20 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Having picked up an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Ajax on UEFA Champions League Matchday 3, Dortmund takes on the Sons of the Gods in this reverse Group C fixture, slated for 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, November 3, at Signal Iduna Park. Referee Michael Oliver (ENG) will be in charge while Stuart Attwell (ENG) will be at the controls in the VAR room.
Preview Borussia Dortmund Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview Spanked across every blade of grass on the field, the Black and Yellows return, fresh with memories from the foul-goal haul on Matchday 3. An own goal from the skipper, Marco Reus (11’ O.G.) inside the opening 15, saw Ajax in the lead. Dortmund had their problems compounded after going two goals down, courtesy of a strike from Daley Blind (25'). Dortmund were unable to muster any form of attack against the home side, leaving Ajax to do all the playing before a remarkable left-footed curler from Antony (57') sneaked into the far end of goal. Haaland eventually had a chance but was only able to force a save out of the Ajax goalkeeper. The UEFA Champions League top scorer, Sebastien Haller, rubbed more salt into Dortmund’s wounds as he bagged his sixth goal of the tournament and the fourth of the game. A string of recent victories has helped Dortmund ease the pain of the defeat, having picked up three wins in a row after five games across all competitions: WLWWW. The German outfit remains in 2nd place in Group C having picked up 6 points after 2W, 0D & 1L. Marco Rose will be eyeing revenge against Ajax when he lines up a probable 3—4—2—1 formation, having Donyell Malen or Hazard at the top of the shape following the absence of Erling Haaland. Haaland is out, due to a hip flexor injury. In addition, Dortmund could be without Raphaël Guerreiro, Moukoko and Mahmoud Dahoud, while Giovanni Reyna remains sidelined.
Preview Ajax Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview A confident Ajax returns looking to pick up a back-to-back double over the Black & Yellows. However, expecting an easy win over Dortmund on German soil could end up in disappointment. The Amsterdammers have lost in four of their last six trips to Germany (1W, 1D, & 4L). The Dutch side leads Group C with 9 points after 3W, 0D, & 0L, and a win on Wednesday will put them in the last-16 with two games to spare. A probable 4—2—3—1 formation, with Haller at the top of the shape, is expected from Erik ten Hag. Sean Klaiber has a knee injury and is ruled out of this fixture alongside Maarten Stekelenburg.