Karim Adeyemi scored the lead against PSG, securing first place for Borussia Dortmund in the … [+]
Despite being adrift outside the top four in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund has finished first in the so-called Champions League group of death (Group F) by holding Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday at a sold-out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Karim Adeyemi (51’) made it 1-0 for Dortmund, and Warren Zaïre-Emery (57’) equalized for PSG.
It was a result that served both teams as Newcastle United lost the parallel game to AC Milan, joining rivals Manchester United to completely crash out of Europe. The result is of significance for Dortmund as they now avoid Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid in round 16.
The most difficult potential opponents in the next round are Italian sides Inter Milan, Napoli, and Lazio. But whether it is one of the Italian sides or Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven, or Porto, Dortmund will feel that they will be favorites in any of those matchups to advance to the quarterfinals.
That is if the Black and Yellows bring their Champions League face to the competition beyond the group stage. Indeed, the gulf between what Dortmund has shown in the Champions League and the Bundesliga this season is remarkable.
Do you want one specific example? Just days after Dortmund was smashed 4-0 in Der Klassiker against Bayern, the Black and Yellows won 2-0 against Newcastle United to set the stage to advance from the group stage. Another example is the result on Wednesday as Dortmund lost 3-2 to RB Leipzig on the weekend, effectively exiting the Bundesliga title race.
Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Süle believes Dortmund need to find more consistency in the … [+]
“We just don’t manage to show the same dynamic and will in the Bundesliga that we have generated in the Champions League this season,” Niklas Süle said to DAZN after the 1-1 draw against PSG when asked about Dortmund’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personality this season. “I don’t know why that is,” Süle added. “Perhaps it is playing under the floodlights at 9 p.m. But the lack of consistency is something we must work on.”
Finding that consistency quickly will be key for Dortmund. The Black and Yellows will see out 2023 with an away game on Saturday against Augsburg, and then on Tuesday will face Mainz at home at the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.
Dortmund is currently in fifth place, four points behind RB Leipzig, who sit in the final Champions League spot as it stands. There is a chance the Bundesliga could secure a fifth spot for next season by finishing in the top in the UEFA
EFA
Relying on the Bundesliga to obtain an extra spot in the revamped Champions League next season through the co-efficient standings would be a risky business, at least. Indeed, dropping down to the Europa League would be a massive step back for a club that lost out on the Bundesliga title on goal differential last season.
With that in mind, surviving the group of death, and, in fact, winning it is a massive achievement for head coach Edin Terzic and his entire staff. But stabilizing the ship in the Bundesliga and closing the gap to the top four will be key for the long-term health of Germany’s second most popular football club.
Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
