When the Borussia Dortmund team took to the pitch inside the national stadium in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia at 19:05 local time, they did so under the watchful eye of the club's greenkeepers and some UEFA delegates.

Boris Rupert reporting from Nicosia

For most of the blades of grass are fresh. Sown nine or ten days earlier. Fresh winter grain. "I know the stadium. I played here ten days ago with the national team," said Borussia Dortmund's defensive stalwart Sokratis, who was part of the Greek XI that faced Cyprus in the last international break. As the stadium of the national team and the home ground of three top-flight sides – Omonia, Olympiakos and APOEL – the pitch is placed under considerable strain, yet it appeared to be in fine condition on the eve of this Champions League Matchday 3 encounter.

Marcel Schmelzer, who sustained a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his ankle in a challenge by a Freiburg player on 9 September, is in contention to make a comeback a few days ahead of schedule, having initially been ruled out of action for a full six weeks. "The fact that we brought Schmelle with us shows that he could well play," said Peter Bosz at the press conference. "The question is just whether he's able to start."

The requirements are clear. Only three points will do. The Black & Yellows aren't the only ones in need of points, though. "We've lost two times and we're here to win. But Apoel need a victory too," said Peter Bosz.

Possible line-ups
Match facts

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