Dortmund Aiming to Extend Resurgence Against Determined Lille
Borussia Dortmund prepares for an intense battle in the UEFA Champions League as they host Lille in the first leg of their last-16 clash at Signal Iduna Park. With both teams eager to make a statement, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two sides with contrasting paths in the tournament.
Dortmund’s Revival Under Niko Kovac
After a rocky start to their European campaign, Dortmund managed to secure their place in the knockout rounds following a managerial change. Niko Kovac has injected fresh energy into the squad, guiding them to an impressive turnaround in recent weeks. The Bundesliga giants head into this fixture with newfound confidence, boasting a strong defensive record and a revitalized attack.
Kovac’s impact is evident, with Dortmund securing three wins in their last five matches while maintaining four clean sheets. Their latest victory, a 2-0 triumph over St Pauli, showcased their growing defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
Lille’s Unexpected Rise in the Champions League
Lille entered this season’s competition as an underdog but emerged as one of the most surprising performers during the group stage. Now under the leadership of Bruno Genesio, the French club has displayed resilience and tactical discipline.
Despite facing tough opposition, Lille managed to claim notable victories over European giants like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, finishing seventh in the group stage. Their domestic form has also been promising, as they remain within touching distance of Ligue 1’s top spots. However, they are coming off a tough 4-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities they must address ahead of their trip to Germany.
Key Match Details
- Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
- Date: Tuesday, March 4
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- TV & Streaming (UK & US):
- UK: TNT Sports 2, discovery+
- US: Paramount+, fuboTV, ViX, CBS Sports Network
Head-to-Head Record
- Borussia Dortmund Wins: 0
- Lille Wins: 0
- Draws: 2
- Last Meeting: Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Lille (UEFA Cup, February 28, 2002)
Recent Form
Borussia Dortmund (Last 5 Matches – All Competitions)
St. Pauli 0-2 Dortmund | Mar 1
Dortmund 6-0 Union Berlin | Feb 22
Bochum 2-0 Dortmund | Feb 15
Sporting CP 0-3 Dortmund | Feb 11
Dortmund 1-2 Stuttgart | Feb 8
Lille (Last 5 Matches – All Competitions)
PSG 4-1 Lille | Mar 1
Lille 2-1 Monaco | Feb 22
Rennes 0-2 Lille | Feb 16
Lille 1-2 Le Havre | Feb 8
Lille 1-1 (4-5p) Dunkerque | Feb 4
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Dortmund will be without Felix Nmecha, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. Right-back Julian Ryerson missed their last match due to illness but could return to the lineup, while Julian Brandt is still being eased back after recovering from an injury.
Expected Dortmund Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Reyna, Gittens; Guirassy.
Lille faces some key absences, with Edon Zhegrova still sidelined and Samuel Umtiti ruled out with a knee injury. Additionally, Tiago Santos is unavailable for the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear. However, Jonathan David will be fully rested and ready to lead the attack after scoring off the bench against PSG. Former Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier could feature at right-back.
Expected Lille Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Bouaddi; Mukau, Gomes, Haraldsson; David.
Match Prediction
Borussia Dortmund enters this fixture with momentum, having rediscovered their attacking prowess. With Guirassy in red-hot form and a more structured defensive approach under Kovac, they will look to impose their dominance early on.
Lille, despite their strong performances in the group stage, will have to contend with Dortmund’s high-pressing style and the intimidating atmosphere of Signal Iduna Park. While Jonathan David remains a major threat, the French side might struggle to contain Dortmund’s attacking firepower over 90 minutes.
Predicted Score: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Lille
