Borussia Dortmund play against Real Madrid for the seventh time at home on Tuesday evening (kick-off 20:45 CEST). Will their glorious home run continue, or will the number seven prove unlucky for some in front of 65,848 spectators in the completely sold-out temple of football on Strobelallee? 

"The games have always been fantastic" reminisced Mario Götze, who played in both home victories across 2012/13 (2-1, 4-1), and indeed was a driving force in those matches. And so he announced with regard to the upcoming reiteration of the fixture: "We are playing at home, it will be a good game."

The Black and Yellows' anticipation is tangible. "Who doesn't dream of being able to play against these stars?", said Maximilian Philipp. Jeremy Toljan, another new signing, stressed: "I am definitely looking forward to it!" Peter Bosz: "An incredible opponent! They play good football with technically strong individual players. I am excited, and am looking forward to it."

That Real Madrid are without one or two of their stars – the same being true for the hosts, given Reus, Guerreiro, Schmelzer, and Schürrle are absent – will not make the task any easier. "They have a big squad. I don't believe Real are weaker at all because of their injured players", opined Bosz, who may again have to tinker with the lineup, if not the playing system. "But we've got to do it well", he said of their high pressing approach, and Julian Weigl too urged concentration: "Real have got more quality than our opponents up until now. We don't want to hide from them – and we can defeat them."

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Borussia Dortmund are playing for the win, in the knowledge that points won from Real Madrid could count for a lot in the ongoing battle against Tottenham Hotspur for second spot in the group. "We know what the situation is", said Götze in an understated manner. "We are preparing ourselves for a very hard game. We are in good shape, and we will go into the game feeling very, very confident."

Possibly because their home record speaks strongly in their favour, being as they are undefeated in six home matches (three victories, three draws). Do the Black and Yellows have a small psychological advantage as a result of this noteworthy series? "I wouldn't put it in those terms", countered Götze. "We know full well that we are strong at home, and we also know what we have already managed to accomplish against them. But that won't be of any continued relevance. It is a new season."
Boris Rupert

BVB total!-Video: The press conference with Mario Götze and Peter Bosz