Borussia Dortmund will host LOSC Lille in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night. With a potential quarter-final encounter against Barcelona on the horizon, both teams will be eager to seize the advantage in this crucial knockout tie.
LOSC Lille, meanwhile, are determined to make history. Les Dogues have never progressed beyond this stage of the competition, but their impressive campaign suggests they are ready to defy the odds. After navigating the qualifying rounds, Lille finished seventh in the 36-team league phase, stunning both Madrid clubs and thrashing Feyenoord 6-1. Under Bruno Genesio, Lille’s attack has been among the most clinical in the tournament, boasting a 22.7% conversion rate—the best in the Champions League this season.
This fixture marks the first meeting between these two sides in over two decades, with their only previous encounter occurring in the 2001/02 UEFA Cup Round of 16. Back then, Dortmund advanced on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Now, with history set to be made, both sides will be desperate to claim an edge ahead of the second leg.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund enter this match with a largely fit squad but will be without Felix Nmecha (knee injury) and Filippo Mane (muscle issue). Julian Ryerson is also a doubt after missing the weekend’s win due to illness. Yan Couto deputized well in Ryerson’s absence and could retain his place if the latter is not fully fit.
In midfield, Julian Brandt will be a key figure as he aims to match Dortmund’s all-time record for most assists in a single Champions League campaign. With five assists already, he is just one away from equaling Ousmane Dembélé’s record of six in the 2016/17 season.
Dortmund are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gregor Kobel in goal. Yan Couto should continue at right-back, alongside Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini in defense. Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross will anchor the midfield, while an attacking trio of Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens supports Serhou Guirassy up front.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Couto, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Guirassy.
LOSC Lille
Lille will be without key players Tiago Santos (ACL injury), Samuel Umtiti (calf problem), and Edon Zhegrova (groin issue), forcing Bruno Genesio to make tactical adjustments. Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is also ineligible, meaning either Andre Gomes or Ayyoub Bouaddi will partner Benjamin Andre in midfield.
The main attacking threat will be Jonathan David, who is just one goal away from becoming Lille’s all-time top scorer in European competitions. Despite starting on the bench in Lille’s 4-1 defeat to PSG, he is expected to lead the line, replacing Chuba Akpom.
Lille will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lucas Chevalier in goal. The backline should feature former Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier, Bafode Diakite, Alexsandro, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. In attack, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Angel Gomes, and Mitchel Bakker will support David up front.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Bouaddi; Haraldsson, Gomes, Bakker; David.
Key Stats to Watch
- Borussia Dortmund and Lille have met just twice before in European competition, with their last encounter ending 1-1 on aggregate in the 2001/02 UEFA Cup.
- Dortmund have only progressed from one of their last four knockout ties against French sides but defeated PSG in the semi-finals last season (2-0 aggregate).
- Lille’s last knockout tie against a German team was in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup final, where they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Stuttgart.
- Lille have won only two of their 11 matches against German clubs (D4, L5), but one of those victories was a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg in the 2021/22 Champions League.
- Dortmund have lost just one of their last 16 UCL home games (W10 D5), their only defeat coming against Barcelona (2-3) in the group stage.
- Lille boast the best conversion rate (22.7%) in the tournament this season.
Player to Watch: Jonathan David
Lille’s hopes of securing a positive result will rest on Jonathan David, who is on the brink of making history as the club’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions. The Canadian striker has been a consistent performer in both Ligue 1 and the UCL, using his pace, finishing ability, and intelligent movement to unlock defenses.
Despite being benched in Lille’s recent 4-1 loss to PSG, he is expected to start and could be a decisive factor against a Dortmund defense that has shown occasional vulnerabilities this season.
Borussia Dortmund vs LOSC Lille Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 LOSC Lille
Dortmund’s European experience and home advantage should give them the edge, but Lille’s attacking efficiency means they could pose a threat. Expect a closely contested encounter, with the Black and Yellows securing a narrow victory before the return leg in France.
Borussia Dortmund vs LOSC Lille Live Stream
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