The games are coming thick and fast, as the saying goes. It seems as if the gaps between BVB's seven matches in 23 days are getting shorter and shorter, with only three days – less than 72 hours – separating their clashes with Monaco and Augsburg.

"The gap between 23:00 CET on Wednesday and 15:30 CET on Saturday is very short. That's why it's important we recover very, very quickly," said Lucien Favre on Thursday. The coach was unable to issue an update about which players he has available. "One or two" have picked up slight knocks, he explained, adding: "We need to wait for tomorrow."

Saturday sees Favre's BVB take on a "very well-organised team that can press high": FCA. Sporting director Michael Zorc believes the Swabians, who currently sit in eighth place with an even record of two wins, two draws and two defeats, are "not easy to play against. It's no coincidence they got a 1-1 draw in Munich. Augsburg make life difficult for opposing teams who like to dictate the play. So we're going to need a lot of patience."

Patience is one of the virtues that have set Borussia Dortmund apart this season. Not only in the 3-0 victory over Monaco, when they went up a gear after the break and sealed the win. The fact there have been 14 goals for the Black & Yellows to celebrate in the past eight days – following wins over Nuremberg (7-0), Leverkusen (4-2) and Monaco (3-0) – "can be put into perspective," said Zorc, adding: "We're very realistic, we're still finding our feet and there's no reason to change any element of our approach." BVB simply need to maintain that fine balance between defensive stability and their (youthful) attacking zeal. Zorc believes there's a clear reason that youngsters like Bruun Larsen and Sancho are flourishing at present: "It's down to our balance, it's just right. The current setup allows the lads to perform on the pitch."

Let's hope that continues at home to Augsburg on Saturday, in what will be BVB's seventh game in 23 days.
Boris Rupert