Dortmund Vs Celtic

On Tuesday evening, Borussia Dortmund will face Celtic in a highly anticipated Champions League match in Germany, both teams having enjoyed significant victories on the opening matchday.

The Scottish champions come into this fixture with an impeccable record this season, having won all their games thus far. However, they are about to encounter their most formidable challenge yet against a Dortmund side that has been prolific in front of goal recently.

Match Overview

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy celebrating after scoring on September 27, 2024, © Imago.

Last season's Champions League finalists started this year's campaign impressively, bouncing back from a slow beginning to secure a dominant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadion.

In that match, substitute Jamie Gittens made a notable contribution, netting two late goals, while star striker Serhou Guirassy capped off the performance with a penalty in stoppage time.

Dortmund has a strong history in European competitions, reaching the knockout stages in all but two of their last eleven campaigns. This season, they aim to replicate that success under the guidance of their new head coach, Nuri Sahin, who took over from Edin Terzic during the summer.

At just 36 years old, Sahin is the youngest manager in this year's Champions League. Despite the victory in Bruges, his tenure has not been entirely smooth. Just a week after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, Sahin's team was fortunate to escape a similar fate in their recent Bundesliga match against Bochum. In that match, Guirassy scored twice, and Karim Adeyemi provided two assists, turning the game around after they had trailed early on.

While there are concerns regarding their defensive capabilities, Dortmund has found the net ten times across three home matches this season. Furthermore, they have lost only three of their last 17 European games played at home.

Now, Die Schwarzgelben will clash with another former European champion, a team they have faced twice in the UEFA Cup, emerging victorious in both two-legged ties.

Celtic's Record and Recent Form

Celtic's Adam Idah celebrating a goal on February 28, 2024, © Imago.

Historically, Celtic has struggled against Borussia Dortmund, failing to secure a victory against them in competitive fixtures. The Scottish side has yet to win a game on German soil, losing their last four encounters there and nine of their last eleven overall.

However, the Bhoys arrive in Germany in excellent form, having won all nine of their matches this season while scoring an impressive 33 goals and conceding only four.

In their most recent outing, Brendan Rodgers’ team demolished St Johnstone 6-0 in the Scottish Premiership. They have scored a staggering 16 goals in their last three matches across all competitions.

The highlight of their recent performances came during their league-phase opener against Slovan Bratislava at Parkhead, where Celtic netted four goals in the second half, securing a 5-1 victory. This win marked the Glasgow club's largest Champions League victory to date.

Overall, Celtic has won their last 15 games, with their only blemish coming from a 3-3 draw against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-finals last April, a match they ultimately triumphed in by winning 6-5 on penalties.

Reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League for only the fourth time remains a significant ambition for the team. However, to do so, they must address their concerning away record in European competition, having secured just one win in their last eleven away fixtures, while suffering nine defeats.

Tactical Battle and Key Players

As Borussia Dortmund prepares for this crucial matchup, the focus will be on their attacking prowess and ability to convert chances into goals. Serhou Guirassy, with his ability to find the back of the net, will be pivotal in leading the line, while Karim Adeyemi's playmaking skills could prove essential in unlocking Celtic's defense.

On the other hand, Celtic's attacking dynamism will rely heavily on the contributions of Adam Idah and the team's midfield creativity. Brendan Rodgers will be keen to leverage their recent goal-scoring form, hoping to break their German jinx and secure a vital away win.

The tactical approach will be crucial for both teams. Dortmund may adopt a more aggressive strategy at home, utilizing their attacking depth to maintain pressure on Celtic. Conversely, Celtic will likely need to balance defensive solidity with counter-attacking opportunities, looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Dortmund backline.

Conclusion

As both teams gear up for this pivotal encounter, the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic promises to be an exciting contest filled with high stakes. With the hosts aiming to continue their strong home form and the visitors seeking to maintain their perfect season record, fans can expect a thrilling match as these two clubs, both with rich European histories, battle for a crucial Champions League victory.

As the kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on how each team approaches this important fixture and whether Celtic can finally break their losing streak in Germany.