Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid will go head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League with the pair locking horns in the second leg of their quarter-final. Atletico Madrid have a narrow lead to protect, having recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Wanda Metropolitano, but it is delicately poised ahead of what should be a fascinating contest at Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund have not progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions League since famously reaching the final in 2012-13, ultimately losing 2-1 to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, and they were knocked out of last season’s tournament in the round of 16 by Chelsea. Atletico Madrid will feel that they should have been out of sight in the first leg considering their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, and it remains to be seen whether they will be made to pay in the second leg.
Borussia Dortmund were missing Jadon Sancho against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday due to illness, but the on-loan Manchester United attacker is expected to return to the side. Haller picked up a knock in the team’s last match, which saw him replaced early on, and the experienced forward could miss out on Tuesday, while Ramy Bensebaini is absent due to a knee problem. Fit-again Donyell Malen could come into the XI for this match, while Julian Brandt, who was a half-time substitute against Atletico in the first leg, is also pushing to be included in midfield.
As for Atletico, Memphis Depay is absent with a muscular problem, while Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo are also unavailable for selection, but Mario Hermoso was back against Girona. Saul Niguez will require a late fitness test, having been replaced in the latter stages of the first period against Girona in La Liga.
Pablo Barrios will be back in the squad, having missed out through suspension, while Jose Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Llorente, Axel Witsel, Lino and Alvaro Morata are also set to return to the side after being rested from the start in the league last time out. There is every chance that Simeone will go with the side that started the first leg against Borussia Dortmund, with Antoine Griezmann again featuring in the final third of the field.
Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last nine games at Signal Iduna Park in the Champions League (W5 D4), so Terzić’s side will fancy their chances.
