The opposition's record at home and in Europe commands respect. But the Borussen have no intention of talking themselves down ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Paris St. Germain on Tuesday evening (21:00 CET). Mats Hummels feels his side have "a good chance, especially with our own fans behind us too".

Word of how they fared in the group stages – the hard-fought 2-1 win over Slavia Prague; the 0-0 draw with Barcelona where they dominated and would have won with a bit more luck in front of goal; and the second-half onslaught in the 3-2 comeback victory over Inter Milan – has obviously reached Paris, as well as serving to boost confidence within the Borussia Dortmund camp itself.  The Black & Yellows have already demonstrated in this Champions League campaign that they are capable of beating any opponent – at home at least. And a win in front of their own fans against PSG would certainly leave BVB well-placed ahead of the return leg in Paris on 11 March.

"What we can take from this is that we will have a very good chance if we show this level of concentration – on and off the ball – and activity, especially with our own fans behind us too," said Mats Hummels in the aftermath of Friday's 4-0 league victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. For the Black & Yellows, it was the 12th time they have won at Signal Iduna Park in a 16-game unbeaten home run in all competitions this term (goal difference: 49-14).

"We're up against a different calibre on Tuesday," declared Lukasz Piszczek, adding: "But we will be ready." Ready to face an absolute top team that is dominating their domestic league in the same way they did their Champions League group between September and December. "We don't need to make the opposition out to be even stronger than they are," said Roman Bürki, adding: "We also played against another top team in Barcelona and gave away almost nothing at home. We have a very good squad too. We'll go into this game brimming with optimism and full of self-confidence!" Hummels agreed with his keeper: "If we give everything on the pitch, then we have a very good chance. And PSG definitely know what will be in store for them here – or what may be in store for them here, to put it more accurately."
Boris Rupert