The Daily Bee (November 6th, 2019): Huge confidence boost ahead of Bayern-clash

• Champions League

Thanks to a phenomenal performance in the second half, BVB was able to come back from a 0:2 deficit and turn it into a crucial 3:2 victory. Dortmund are now in a great position in group F, one win in the remaining two games should be enough to qualify for the next round, and are even able to finish first because of Barcelona’s surprising draw at home against Slavia Prague.

RB Leipzig are also on their way to the next round. A 2:0 win against Zenit St. Petersburg means they have now a 5-point gap to the Russian team and only need one more point to qualify for the knockout stages. Olympique Lyon are in second place thanks to their 3:1 over Benfica.

Reigning champions Liverpool are back in first place after their narrow 2:1 victory over Genk and Napoli’s surprising 1:1 draw against Salzburg.

Despite BVB’s comeback victory the wildest game was still played in a different stadium, Chelsea came back from a 1:4 deficit to Ajax Amsterdam and still drew 4:4. The Premier League side took advantage of two red cards for Ajax to stage the comeback and keep their chances of finishing first in the group. Both teams are now level on points at 7, as well as Valencia who defeated OSC Lille 4:1.

Today, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will look to keep the Bundesliga’s perfect record on matchday 4 of the Champions League although it will not be easy.

Bayern could already clinch their spot in the next round if they win their game against Olympiacos. Last year’s finalist Tottenham need a win against Red Star Belgrade if they want to get back to the final.

Bayer Leverkusen need three points against Atletico or they are already eliminated. If Lokomotive Moscow get a result versus Juventus, Leverkusen might not even make it into the Europa League.

• Reactions to BVB’s win (BVB.de)

Hans-Joachim Watzke was happy with the win and the performance in general and praised especially coach Lucien Favre:

“The moment we made it 2-2, I felt we would still win the game. The team had already in the first half some relatively good chances and made a good game overall. The second half was outstanding. It was a football night people love. That gives us tailwind for Saturday: We are ready for the Clasico. And in the Champions League we have a good position again. But we also have to classify that correctly. These were narrow victories this week, which were won hard. Lucien Favre is currently very lively. He does a lot. I like that.”

Julian Brandt told DAZN after the game:

“Our reaction was absolute madness. It feels brutally good.”

Well it does doesn’t it? BVB are not fully back on track yet but the past few performances have the team moving in the right direction at least. Saturday’s clash against Bayern Munich will show where the team really stands.