A thrilling Champions League clash awaits as Borussia Dortmund takes on Celtic in the second matchday of the league phase at Signal Iduna Park.
Both teams enter the contest with confidence after securing victories on Matchday 1. Celtic, under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, while Dortmund, despite a mixed beginning under new manager Nuri Sahin, are still one of the tournament’s formidable sides.
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Dortmund began their Champions League campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Club Brugge, showcasing the quality that took them to the final last season.
However, their Bundesliga form has been inconsistent, epitomized by a heavy 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, followed by a hard-fought 3-1 comeback victory over Bochum in their most recent league outing.
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Nuri Sahin, who replaced Edin Terzic this season, is still finding his feet, and questions remain about whether he can successfully steer Dortmund toward domestic and European success.
Marcel Sabitzer, a key figure in last season’s Champions League run, missed Dortmund’s last match due to injury but is expected to return for this clash.
Dortmund’s star striker Serhou Guirassy, who has been in great form since arriving in the summer, will lead the line, while Sahin has plenty of options in attack with the likes of Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi also set to start.
Dortmund has a solid record against Celtic, with three wins in their four previous meetings. However, they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents, as Celtic arrives in Germany with momentum and confidence, making this matchup more intriguing.
Celtic has been in sensational form this season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side winning every game in both domestic and European competitions. Their dominant 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on Matchday 1 was a statement of intent, and they will now look to cause an upset in Germany.
Rodgers has a fully fit squad to choose from, and his decision to rest some key players in their weekend league match against St. Johnstone suggests that Celtic will be at full strength for this Champions League showdown.
Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who has been instrumental for Celtic this season, will lead the line, while midfielder Reo Hatate is expected to return to the starting XI after being used as a substitute at the weekend.
Celtic’s strong start to the season can be attributed to Rodgers’ tactical approach and the team’s consistency. While Dortmund is a much tougher opponent than Bratislava, there is a growing belief that this Celtic side can handle high-pressure European environments better than past iterations of the squad.
Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic: Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Kobel; Couto, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Gross, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
With Sabitzer returning to the lineup and Reyna absent due to a groin injury, Dortmund is expected to field a strong team with plenty of attacking firepower. Guirassy, Dortmund’s in-form striker, will look to build on his recent performances, while Brandt and Adeyemi will provide support from the flanks.
Celtic (4-3-3)
Predicted lineup: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda
Celtic will stick to their 4-3-3 formation, with Furuhashi leading the attack. Rodgers is expected to bring Reo Hatate back into the starting XI, while midfielder Callum McGregor will look to control the tempo of the game.
Jambobet Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Celtic
A draw seems like a realistic outcome, with Dortmund’s inconsistency likely to give Celtic opportunities. Both sides have enough firepower to score, but this could be a match where neither team dominates, making it a balanced affair.
