Dortmund seeking Champions League miracle to overturn Spurs first leg advantage

Borussia Dortmund face needing a miracle to overcome a first-leg 3-0 deficit against Spurs as both teams vie for a place in the quarter finals of the Champions League.

Tottenham are seeking to reach the quarter finals for only the second time in the club’s history but will know the job is far from done when they face off against Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.

When Spurs won 3-0 against Inter Milan in a Europa League round of 16 first leg in 2013 many were sure the north London club had booked their place in the next round. Spurs proceeded to concede four times at the San Siro, just sneaking through on away goals.

The German giants have scored four or more in seven matches this season including when they played defensive powerhouses Atletico Madrid so there shouldn’t be a problem if they need goals.

English side Spurs have only conceded more than three twice so far this season and are usually comfortable in the defending department. A side winning 3-0 at home in the first-leg have never failed to progress to the next stage.

Dortmund could have got more out of the first leg had they acted on their first-half dominance, however, they only have themselves to blame as they collapsed in the second half. Goals for Heung-Min Son, Fernando Llorente and Jan Vertonghen put BVB to the sword, Vertonghen enjoying one of the best games of his career.

Both teams have seen their form dip since their first encounter with the hosts letting Bayern Munich back into the Bundesliga title race after drawing 0-0 with bottom-placed 1. FC Nürnberg and most recently losing 2-1 to FC Augsburg, who are also battling relegation.

Spurs’ title challenge is now well and truly over after failing to win since their demolition job over BVB. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost to both Burnley (2-1) and Chelsea (2-0), though their 1-1 draw with rivals Arsenal will have at least brought a bit of happiness back to the north London side.

Dortmund captain Marco Reus issued a warning to the away side:

“We have played many games in this stadium where we’ve written history and we are in position to achieve the impossible.”

“It is important to believe in ourselves, and give a great performance. We need to find the right balance between defence and attack. We need to reach our peak and score the goals in the right moment. But we believe in ourselves.”

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino complained about fixtures:

“Tomorrow we are going to fight and give our best. With this type of game in the last 16 it’s important that one team has 24 hours more to prepare.”

“We need help from the FA, we need help from the Premier League. I don’t know who’s fault it is. I don’t know whether it’s the FA, the Premier League, the club or the TV wanted the matches to be on those days.”

Dortmund captain made his return against Augsburg and should be fit having not featured in the first leg whilst Christian Pulisic will be ready to be called upon if Lucien Favre chooses to use the American after recovering from a thigh injury.

Both full-backs Marcel Schmelzer (foot) and Lukasz Piszczek (heel) will be missing for the hosts.

Spurs are hoping that Harry Winks and Eric Dier will be fit enough to face the German giants, both England internationals making the trip and will face fitness tests.

Dele Alli is the only player ruled out for Pochettino’s side as he is still recovering from his hamstring problem.

BVB legend Reus is the club’s top scorer with 17 in 28 games this season and could prove potent with a defence behind him that hasn’t conceded at home in the competition.

Englishman Jadon Sancho has been flying since making the switch to the North Rhine-Westphalia, the winger providing 14 assists in 32 games making him the German sides top assister.

Harry Kane leads the line for goals with the Englishman netting 22 in 34 appearances for the Lilywhites this season and scored home and away against Dortmund last season in the Champions League.

It remains a fascinating tie to see if Spurs have the character to hang on to a substantial lead in the daunting atmosphere of Signal Iduna Park.