This is how Borussia Dortmund play: look out for Gittens

“Temperatures will be slightly above freezing, one to three degrees. The chance of rain is zero percent, but it will be cloudy throughout the day.” The weather report given by Borussia Dortmund itself on its website for tomorrow’s game (9 pm) can be understood as the only concession to Barça. May it not rain or snow and Lamine Yamal Do not risk freezing, this is always good news. But everything else is distracting. From 78,000 yellow fans who will try to intimidate the players of Hansi Flickand 3,300 culé traveling, even a group of Nuri Sahin strong at home: they have gone 13 games in the Champions League without losing at home and in this Bundesliga, only Bayern got a draw (1-1) ten days ago. Outside his stadium his performance drops, but in front of his fans he grows with the weapons he can change. Against Bayern, he waited at the back for the counterattack. He probably repeated to protect himself defensively because of the casualties. But he also knows how to press high. A mystery for Hansi Flick.

THE PURPOSE

Kobel, a reliable Swiss

The 27-year-old Swiss goalkeeper, finally a starter for his national team after the retirement of Yan Sommer (Inter) at 35, is living his best moment. Sure, little given the frills and with a wingspan that closes the gaps: 1.95 m. and 88 kg. One of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga and probably in Europe as well.

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THE DEFENSE CENTER

Emre Can, emergency solution

The Dortmund captain, 30, has lost his starting position as a midfielder due to the emergence of Nmecha, but will be available again as a central defender due to injuries to Niklas Süle and Waldemar Anton. He doesn’t have skills like them, he’s a bit slow, but he has experience (he’s played there), power and better ball delivery. On his side, the left-hander Nico Schlotterbeck (25 years old), fast, energetic and skilled in driving or with good long passes or filtered passes between the lines. On the agenda of the great.

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THE LATERALS

Little known, but with a purpose

They are not the most striking players of Borussia Dortmund, they look weak, but they have interesting numbers for being a full-back. Norwegian Julian Ryerson, a 27-year-old right-hander, scored four goals in the last Bundesliga and has one currently. And the Algerian Ramy Bensebaini, a 29-year-old left-hander, has one goal in this Champions League and another in the Bundesliga, although where he appeared was at the other Borussia, M’gladbach, who achieved the 25 official goals in four. season between 2019 and 2023. The problem for them is that Sahin gives them a little freedom offensively. And defensively they are invincible. Ryerson’s successor, by the way, is the Brazilian Yan Couto, formerly of Girona, more vertical and also has options to be a starter, although he defends a little and is usually an offensive card in case of need.

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THE MEDIA

Waiting for an important Brandt

Sahin usually uses a 4-3-3 in attack which turns into a defensive 4-2-3-1. Felix Nmecha (24 years old) has earned stripes as a midfielder for his size, touch and tactical sense. An interior should be Julian Brandt (28), the best playmaker, the pass filterer, but he has injured his thigh since 27-N and is a doubt. It was difficult for him to start after not appearing again in Saturday’s finish. Without him, two proven all-rounders such as Marcel Sabitzer (30), formerly of Bayern and Manchester United, and Pascal Gross (33), formerly of Brighton, are playing. If Brandt comes back, it’s normal for Gross to leave. But he and Sabitzer can focus on their demarcation (they already do it in the defensive phase in the aforementioned 4-2-3-1) and the one sacrificed could be Nmecha.

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THE FORWARD

No Adeyemi, but with Gittens

The dizzy Karim Adeyemi (22), who has a muscle injury since October 1, is trying to get there, but it is difficult for him. And more as an introduction. For Sahin it is a problem, but less serious thanks to the explosion of the Englishman Jamie Gittens (20 years old, 5 goals in the Bundesliga and 4 in the Champions League). Imbalance and easy shooting with the right foot starting from the left until Koundé’s concern. The Franco-Guinean Serhou Guirassy (28), formerly of Stuttgart and Rennes, is a ‘9’ capable at best and at worst, although he already has 10 goals (6 in the Bundesliga and 4 in the Champions League), and Maximilian Beier usually plays on the right (27), quick in space and scorer of 16 goals last year with Hoffenheim. Dutchman Donyell Malen (25) has lost popularity this season, but he is a dagger in the chamber.