BVB head into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid, the Europa League winners in 2018 and the Champions League runners-up in 2014 and 2016, on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run and a five-match winning streak. It will be "a test of our maturity", says Marco Reus, while Maximilian Philipp added: "We're all really excited."

Bundesliga leaders and unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions − only once have Borussia Dortmund made a more impressive start to a season under a new coach. That was three years ago under Thomas Tuchel, though that 15-game run included four matches against the likes of Odds BK and Wolfsberger AC – teams who, with all due respect, are not in the same ballpark as Club Bruges or AS Monaco.

Having beaten the Belgian and French outfits in their first two matches, the Black & Yellows have made the perfect start to their 2018/19 UEFA Champions League campaign and top Group A, level on points with Madrid. A home victory over the Spaniards would see Favre's charges take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages. "Atlético have a super team. They've consistently competed at the top, both nationally and internationally, in recent seasons," said Maximilian Philipp, who added. "It'll be a tricky test. We're all really excited."

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Last season's runners-up in La Liga occupy fifth place in the current campaign, though they only trail third-place Alaves by one point and table-toppers Barcelona by two. Only one of their 11 competitive games this term has ended in defeat, a 2-0 loss at Celta Viga. And defensively they are a fortress, with only two goals conceded in the past six matches.

"We need to play with patience," warned Marco Reus. "It'll be a test of our maturity and where we're at, but I believe in us." His optimism is shared by Thomas Delaney, who believes BVB are perfectly placed to take on a team that occupies third-spot in the UEFA Five-Year Ranking: "We know that it'll be difficult. But we absolutely want to win!" (br)