UEFA Champions League
''Show a different side of ourselves against Ajax''
Borussia Dortmund's third consecutive midweek fixture will see them face Ajax on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League. Kick-off in SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is scheduled for 21:00 CET on Wednesday.
''We want to do a lot better than we did in the first game and show right from the start that we want to win at home,'' said Mats Hummels on the day prior to the match, adding: ''We have a lot to learn from the first game. Ajax are a good team, but I have no doubts that we'll show a different side of ourselves.'' BVB suffered a 4-0 defeat in the first meeting between the two sides a fortnight ago in Amsterdam. ''We'll have to play better and more courageous football than we did in Amsterdam. The first game really bothered and affected us,'' said BVB coach Marco Rose, going on to add: ''Our confidence should be restored for tomorrow after our recent wins.'' The Black & Yellows followed up the loss to Ajax with Bundesliga wins in Bielefeld and at home to Cologne. Safe passage to the next round of the DFB-Pokal was also secured through victory over Ingolstadt last Tuesday.
League leaders Ajax drew their most recent Eredivisie match 0-0 with Heracles Almelo. Prior to that, they cruised to a 5-0 win over rivals PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch side also sit atop Champions League Group C, with a maximum nine points from three games. Borussia Dortmund are behind them in second place with six points.
''Ajax are a good footballing side who look to dominate matches. We'll have to accept that there will be phases where they control the ball,'' said Rose. ''If we have possession, they can't hurt us. That's what it will come down to tomorrow: making the right decisions in the right moments.'' Hummels was full of praise for tomorrow's opponents' attacking players: ''They put a lot of emphasis on runs in behind, which creates space for other players. The way they play going forward is successful and beautiful to watch.''
Dan-Axel Zagadou, who made his comeback at the weekend with the U23s after a long injury-enforced absence, will return to the squad for the Ajax game. ''He played for 69 minutes and he did a great job. He could be an option for a few minutes tomorrow,'' said Rose.
Christina Reinke
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