Match Preview: BVB return to the Champions League against struggling Monaco

This past week for Dortmund has gone just about as well as could be hoped for, and the squad will welcome Monaco to Signal Iduna Park on Match day 2 of the Champions League as they look to continue their impressive form. Dortmund seem to be a completely different team since the close call against Brugge, and we will hopefully be able to measure that improvement with a convincing win against Monaco.

With a win, Dortmund can solidify their position in the top half of the group, but perhaps more importantly they can show Atletico Madrid they are prepared to challenge for 1st. Of course we will wait and see how Monaco plays, but they do not seem like much of a threat in the group at this point. Dortmund can not be satisfied with a draw and will need all the points they can get to keep pace with the sturdy Atletico Madrid squad.

Monaco’s Troubles

As I said, Monaco does not seem too threatening as they are currently in a rough patch, to say the least. They find themselves in 18th in Ligue 1 and without any points in the Champions league after a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Their only win this season came against a Nantes team sitting in 19th in the French league. Most recently Monaco has suffered two shutout defeats defeats to St-Etienne and Angers. Long story short, this is not the Monaco team of two years ago. Falcao is still dangerous and remains the team’s leading scorer, but there is nothing Dortmund should struggle to handle.

Potential BVB Lineup

I think everyone would be comfortable with this lineup. It makes sense to rest Hakimi, and the rest of the squad would be pretty straight forward. Perhaps a change of Dahoud or Weigl for Delaney is warranted, but in particular I would love to see Alcacer in the starting eleven. Favre may decide the Champions League isn’t the right moment to test him as a starter, but he has certainly shown he deserves the chance.

Prediction: 3-1 Dortmund

It has been exactly a month since Monaco has managed more than a goal. I don’t see that changing in this match up, and I think Dortmund will pick up where they left off against Leverkusen.