Match point for the Black and Yellows

The Black and Yellows laid the foundations with outstanding performances and excellent results, winning 6-0 in Warsaw, drawing 2-2 against Madrid and edging a 2-1 victory in Lisbon. Another win would leave BVB with ten points on the board and prematurely secure their place among the best 16 clubs on the continent, as well as putting them in a good position to go one step further and win the group. First place is associated with a slightly easier draw in the last 16 (against a second-placed side) and the right to play the second leg at home.

But hold on!

However, with only three of the six group-stage games having been played, we're not there yet! Sporting pushed the Black and Yellows to their limits a fortnight ago. "After conceding we didn't really manage to control the ball or the opposition any more," admitted Michael Zorc in the aftermath of 97 nerve-wracking minutes at the Estádio José Alvalade. "We really suffered at times and had to work really hard for each other," said head coach Thomas Tuchel, who added: "However, we fought throughout the entire game to regain possession and to bring the match under control. You could sense an incredible energy and readiness to see things through and battle for this victory together as a team. At certain times we got a bit lucky, but in the end we deserved it."

BVB can mathematically guarantee qualification in the return leg.

But!

"We know how difficult that will be," emphasised Tuchel, who continued: "We really want to win the head-to-head but we need an absolute top performance if we are to do so." And support from the fans. In any case, the statistics make for comfortable reading: Borussia have won every previous home game against Portuguese opposition...
Boris Rupert