Bulinews
·9 December 2024
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·9 December 2024
In what has been a generally inconsistent campaign for Borussia Dortmund, the Black and Yellows have produced good results in Europe, sitting fourth in the Champions League with 12 points from five games.
Things have not gone quite as well on the domestic front, with the Black and Yellows knocked out of the DFB-Pokal and sitting in sixth place in the Bundesliga after being held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend.
Nuri Sahin's men will now be searching for their first win against Barcelona, having lost two and drawn two of their previous four meetings with the La Liga giants.
Jamie Gittens is the man in the spotlight for Dortmund at the moment, with the winger going into Wednesday's game on the back of a four-game scoring streak.
Like Dortmund, Hansi Flick's Barcelona are on 12 points in the Champions League, with a 2-1 defeat to Monaco their only slip-up in Europe this season.
There have been more slip-ups in La Liga for Flick's team this term, with the Catalan club last being held to a 2-2 draw by Real Betis in a game that saw Flick shown a red card.
Nevertheless, Barcelona remain top of the table, having played a game more than second-placed Real Madrid, who have two points less.
In terms of absentees, Dortmund will be without Waldemar Anton (groin), Niklas Süle (ankle) and Filippo Mané (muscle).
Maximilian Beier is expected to be in the squad despite picking up a knock against Gladbach.
Julian Brandt should return from a thigh problem, while Karim Adeyemi could also potentially make the squad, having worked his way back from an injury.
Bernal (knee), Christensen (Achilles) and Ter Stegen (knee) are out for the visitors, while Ansu (muscle) and Araújo (hamstring) are doubts.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel - Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini - Nmecha - Malen, Sabitzer, Brandt, Gittens - Guirassy.
FC Barcelona: Inaki Pena - Koundé, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde - Pedri, Casado - Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha - Lewandowski.