Arsenal versus Borussia: High-speed football in Europe´s elite competition
The eyes of the footballing world will be on an Anglo-German football match on Tuesday night. When Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund meet at Emirates Stadium (kick-off: 2045 CET), the fans can look forward to an open and fast-paced game. "We don´t hide, and they don´t hide. So it should be an exciting game," said the Premier League leaders´ coach Arsène Wenger.
Jürgen Klopp agreed with his counterpart. "If I were to spend money on a ticket, it would definitively be for tomorrow´s game," said the Dortmund coach ahead of the final training session on Monday night. The two coaches agreed on another thing. "We´ll have to play one of our best games, otherwise we have no chance to be successful here," said Klopp, while Wenger stated, "We have to play at our best, then we will have a very, very good chance."
There´s a lot of respect and mutual appreciation between the two coaches. "Arsène´s style was never out of date," said Klopp. "And now he´s attacking again with the right players at the right place. Our game is based on pressing the ball. Arsène is more subtle, his football is based on possession."
Klopp said he doesn´t expect that Tuesday´s game will significantly impact the outcome of Group F featuring the third-placed side from France (Olympique Marseille), the second-placed sides from Italy (SSC Napoli) and Germany (Borussia Dortmund) and the top side from England. "This is pure Champions League and it´s not a group where one team will get 18 points. It would be great if we could get something out of this game. But nothing will be decided if we don´t."
Hot topics at the pre-game press conference were Nuri Sahin´s England experiences in a Liverpool shirt and Mesut Özil. "In a game it doesn´t matter who you are up against on the pitch," said Sahin, adding: "If we stick to our plan against Arsenal, we will have a really good chance."
It´s a view shared by Wenger and Klopp. "Arsenal are the favourites," said Klopp who expects "two close games" on Tuesday and on 6 November in the second match in Dortmund. "Small things will decide the outcome - and we want to be prepared for them."