Looks likely CP on the left of their usual formation, but with the unusual Dahoud in the Reus slot. Both look like they're starting 3 CBs, with a center back pretending to be a left back, and Spurs could even be starting 4 depending on how you count Foyth. No Alcacer at all, Guerriero looking like a likely sub for CP in the second half depending on how the game goes. CP would probably be playing in front of the not-a-LB Diallo, which could be shakier on defense, and he's less likely to venture forward than Hakimi on the other side. Look for BVB to try to work down the right with Sancho and Hakimi a lot, putting Gotze and CP in position to try to finish off some plays as the ball makes its way into the middle. No Kane or Dele Alli for Spurs. They will need Son to make something happen. Both teams facing abnormally large speed mismatches between the attack and their back lines, while playing more conservative than normal midfields.
Rooting extra, extra hard for Christian today. Not only is he playing against Tottenham, which also provides a brief glimpse into how he might perform in the Premier League, but if Dortmund wins today, his best card in FIFA Ultimate Team jumps to an 86. I'll let you decide what's most important.
Rose and Trippier are sitting there on the Spurs bench. I'm having trouble seeing the Spurs game plan - defending with a lot of size and experience, but not going to attack with numbers, certainly.
Schwatzgelb folks gloomy, they're missing their talisman Reus and feel that midfield with Delaney, Witsel and Dahoud is a tad too conservative. I feel playing conservative against Tottenham away is wise. As per power graphics, while the Spuds look much more formidable in attack than Dortmund, the German club is much more solid defensively. This is going to be good. And quite tight. 2-1 for the potatoes.
The German fans are worried about Diallo having to deal with Son. That's going to be a key battle. Son has been going Gangnam Style on defenses of late.
The pundit on my stream just blamed "American Football" for tearing up the pitch at Wembley and said that will an advantage for BVB. Well there you go. American influence before and during the game today.
All these formations are showing Zagadou on the left instead of Diallo, which surprises me in one way because he's just coming back from the injury, but that's offset by the fact that Diallo has been bad on the left and will likely be happy to be back in more familiar territory.
That's where he should be played, Dortmund have been mostly misusing him. Should be a great match, I think Spurs are better overall but with all respective injuries this could go either way. And Dortmund on their day could beat up on a lot of teams. I'm also really excited to see Sancho and Pulisic working at the same time, I hope CP makes some good runs because at any moment he could be on the end of a great Sancho pass.
CP tons of forecheck pressure nearly forces a dangerous turnover, but doesn't. Otherwise, has just dealt with nervous/poor Diallo passes.
Delaney through pass to CP comes just after CP checked his run to avoid going offside. Really close to something exciting.
Pulisic did everything right, intensely pressuring, and funneling the opponent toward his teammate. But Goetze erred by not matching Pulisic's aggression and allowing too big of a space to allow the double team to be split. Then the rest of Dortmund didn't step up to pressure when Pulisic kept hounding the dribbler. Very disappointing teamwork.
Lucas flashed a volley across goal... sequence started because Dortmund gave Eriksen too much space. They shouldn't allow that to continue, probably.
I dunno... was a good move, and Gotze was trying to prevent back pass to keeper right? Not that big a deal, defender made a good move.
couple times now they had a chance to try and release pulisic behind the defense. first time communication on when the run would start was wrong, second time dahoud (?) tried to go sideways instead
Winks almost finds countering Son after Dahoud makes a bad pass in center circle. That counter will be there all game, BVB can't turn those balls over in those situations.
CP draws yellow, good dribble move. Aurier will be vulnerable this match, BVB could find some joy there.