5 reasons Borussia Dortmund will beat Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League
Borussia Dortmund host Sturm Graz on Matchday 4 of this season’s UEFA Champions League as the hosts look to consolidate their place amongst the top eight. Here, bundesliga.com takes you through five reasons why they will do just that…
1) Strong home form
The Signal Iduna Park is Dortmund’s happy place. The Black-and-Yellows have won each of their previous 10 matches in all competitions in front of their own supporters and are unbeaten in 12 there. In fact, this term, seven of the team's eight victories have occurred in Dortmund, suggesting they are incredibly comfortable in familiar surroundings.
BVB’s strong European home streak goes back even further. Their last loss on home turf in continental competition came way back in 2021, when they suffered a 4-2 UEFA Europa League play-off defeat to Glasgow Rangers.
In Europe’s premier club tournament, they are unbeaten in 11 such matches, a run that includes encounters with Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, AC Milan, Manchester City and Chelsea, while they have come out second best in just two of their previous 23 home ties. Whatever is happening elsewhere, Dortmund know what they are capable of at their ground and are therefore always a force to be reckoned with.
Watch: the Signal Iduna Park - Dortmund's fortress
2) Solid Champions League start
After reaching the final last term, BVB have enjoyed a decent opening this time around. They kicked off with a 3-0 win at Club Brugge, with Jamie Gittens and Serhou Guirassy shining in Belgium.
Then, they followed that up with a 7-1 hammering of Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic. Not only did that put them top of the leaderboard two games in, but it was also their biggest ever Champions League triumph – only once before had they also managed to find the back of the net on seven occasions.
A trip to the Santiago Bernabéu, home of reigning champions and 2023/24 Dortmund conquerors Real Madrid, was BVB’s toughest task test yet and, initially, they impressed. Nuri Şahin’s men flew into a first-half, two-goal lead, and looked well on course to add to their points tally. In the end, they shipped five times after the break as they succumbed 5-2, but the showing before the interval gave them plenty to positive about.
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3) Point to prove
After replacing Edin Terzić at the helm, Şahin has faced a baptism of fire in the BVB hot-seat. The 36-year-old oversaw just one loss in his opening eight games, however, things have since become trickier for the young tactician. Die Schwarzgelben recently exited the DFB Cup at the second-round stage after an extra-time loss to Wolfsburg, a result that formed part of three defeats in four games across all competitions.
In terms of producing a turnaround, Şahin said, “I see it as the responsibility of all the boys and myself at the front,” and that responsibility will be keenly felt at the Signal Iduna Park against Graz, with the hosts looking to turn up the heat in the Champions League and reverse their fortunes of late.
4) Guirassy finding his feet
His debut in Dortmund colours delayed by a knee injury, the Guinea international has since started to replicate some of the form that saw him star for Stuttgart as they soared to second spot last term. With five goals and two assists in just seven BVB Bundesliga appearances and a further three strikes and an assist in the Champions League, Guirassy has clearly found his BVB touch and his influence and experience in Şahin’s attack cannot be understated.
The African Footballer of the Year nominee was also on target five times in two international appearances in October, meaning Graz will do well to keep a close watch on a player who is clearly enjoying a super goalscoring run.
5) Fringe players eager for action
BVB’s injury problems of late have been well documented, with the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Julian Ryerson, Niklas Süle, Gregor Kobel and Gio Reyna - to name just a few – all nursing respective problems. That may open the door for a group of Borussia boys who would gladly step up to the Champions League big time, and who look well set to deliver if called upon.
USYNT international Cole Campbell (18) has already made his Bundesliga debut this season – the Houston, Texas native coming on against Augsburg and then Leipzig. A talented winger of immense promise, Campbell recently signed pro terms with the Black-and-Yellows and got game time against Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup, as did the exciting and versatile Dutch forward Jordi Paulina (20).
With Italy U20 international defender Filippo Mané also raring to go, coach Şahin is well stocked with talented young options.
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