Borussia Dortmund's task this coming Saturday will be no less challenging than the highly demanding 97 minutes played against Lisbon. For they will encounter the team which presses the hardest, namely, FC Ingolstadt. 

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Thomas Tuchel insisted in his analysis that he was not simply paying lip service to his forthcoming opposition, as is often customary these days, since his words did not seem fitting somehow, addressed as they were to the last placed team in the league. "Ingolstadt are not representative of the kind of team typically propping up the table" argued Tuchel, who went on to list their strengths: "They are the hardest pressing team in the entire league when without the ball, are hugely successful at winning back possession in their opposition's half, and rarely allow their opponent chances on goal." He continued: "They were highly courageous in all their previous matches, played exceptionally well in Munich and have had a lot of bad luck in terms of their results, which in no way reflect the performances we have seen from them."

BVB must continue to play without being able to select Schmelzer, Bender, Durm or Subotic for defensive duties. They are also, potentially, deprived of Sokratis for the midfield, as well as Schürrle, Reus and the suspended Mor in attack. They will need to put in a top performance in order to redress their poor away form (one win, two defeats). "I am expecting an intensive game", said Tuchel.

His (extremely young) team certainly expended a great deal of energy in Lisbon, but for their efforts, have gained the kind of self-confidence "that you can only accumulate in these kind of games". (br)

BVB total!-Video: The complete press conference with Thomas Tuchel