Borussia Dortmund are gearing up for their third trip to Wembley, having previously faced Bayern Munich (2-1 defeat in the 2013 Champions League final) and Tottenham (3-1 group-stage loss in 2017) at the most famous stadium in world football. Spurs will again be the opponents in the English capital, where the Black & Yellows will be targeting a result that puts them in good stead for the return leg on 5 March.

It is the ninth time BVB have reached the last 16 in 13 seasons in the most important club competition in football − a record only surpassed in Germany by Bayern Munich. They will now be looking to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Statistically speaking, their chances aren't bad. 50/50 to be exact. BVB have been eliminated from European competition by opponents from the home of football on three previous occasions, while they have prevailed three times in knockout ties too: the 1966 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final against West Ham United, the 1997 UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester United and, most recently, the 2016 Europa League last 16 against Tottenham Hotspur.

For Michael Zorc, it is "a clash that could go both ways, a meeting of equals, completely open". Hans-Joachim Watzke spoke of a "50/50 tie" after the draw, but his objective is clear. "We're aiming to progress", he declared.
Boris Rupert