Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to keep up his perfect start to his Borussia Dortmund career by making it seven wins out of seven and lead them to the UEFA Europa League group stage.
After finding themselves 3-0 down to Odds BK in a crazy 22 minutes at the Skagerak Arena, Dortmund rallied to win their away leg 4-3, and only need to make sure they keep up their one goal cushion, barring a rather unlikely 5-4 loss or bigger.
Considering their famed high-pressing football has been combined with a busy fixture schedule, Tuchel is hoping that they keep up their great start whilst maintaining their fitness.
Tuchel described in his press conference ahead of the clash with the Norwegian side that it was ‘absolutely essential’ that his side had rested after their 4-0 win over newly-promoted Ingolstadt last Sunday, especially with the squad ‘having to adjust to new opponents every few days’.
Team News
With both Erik Durm and Lukasz Piszczek both missing, Tuchel would be thankful that both Kevin Großkreutz and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are nearing full fitness after their own injury problems.
Marco Reus was rested for the trip to Skien, but Dortmund’s most prized weapon could be used if Tuchel wanted to make absolutely sure of their path into the Europa League.
However, Odds’ biggest secret weapon from the first leg, their 17-year-old starlet Rafik Zekhnini, could be a doubt for the game in Germany after being left out of their matchday squad for the 1-0 victory over Viking Stravanger due to intense media speculation he is close to completing his ‘dream’ move to Manchester United for around £3m.
Likely teams
Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Bürki; Ginter, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer; Weigl, Castro; Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Reus; Aubameyang.
Odds (4-3-3): Rossbach; Ruud, Hagen, Bergan, Grogaard; Jensen, Samuelsen, Nordkvelle; Betley, Zekhnini, Occean.
Form
Dortmund have been imperious in their last five games, netting 19 goals in their past five whilst conceding just three to their next opponents in Norway.
Odds have been far less consistent than Thomas Tuchel’s side, winning twice in the same amount of games against Viking and Start, whilst tripping up against Dortmund and Sarpsborg. They also grabbed a draw against Molde.
Key Players
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be hoping to continue his goalscoring form having scored seven goals in his first six games, having netted the winner in the away leg at the Skagerak Arena.
All eyes will once again be on Rafik Zekhnini after his impressive display against Dortmund last week, and should have plenty watching him if he has a repeat performance against Tuchel’s side.