Dortmund and Leverkusen in CL action
October 21, 2014
It's fair to say that Borussia Dortmund are experiencing a bit of a crisis in the Bundesliga. For a team that has enjoyed such success in recent years, it's odd to now see them struggling in 14th position in Germany's top flight. Even more worrying: Jürgen Klopp's team is a full 13 points behind Bayern Munich, their usual measuring stone.
But, so far this season, the Champions League has been a happy hunting ground for the boys in yellow and black. They've so far managed to pick up six points from their two games, scoring five goals on the way.
Marco Reus says that against Galatasaray on Wednesday night Dortmund will have to concentrate on the job at hand, rather than worry about the missed opportunities in the Bundesliga. Reus is one of a number of star players making their way back into the team after an injury-induced spell on the sideline and both his return to full fitness and that approach should please coach Jürgen Klopp.
"We have to pull ourselves together," Klopp said, before leaving with his team to Istanbul. "We haven't found the elusive answer just yet, but we don't have the time to go looking for form."
Michael Zorc, the club's sporting director, said he hoped a win in Istanbul would be a good way of gaining some confidence for the Bundesliga, ahead of the team's "extremely important" game against Hannover next weekend.
Leverkusen to host Zenit St. Petersburg
Bayer Leverkusen are another Bundesliga side performing below their best this season. After an exciting start in the first rounds of the Bundesliga with wonderful attacking football, the team has now slipped to sixth position domestically.
In the Champions League so far, Roger Schmidt's team has lost 1-0 to Monaco but also beaten Benfica 3-1 on the second matchday. On Wednesday, Leverkusen are due to take on Russian league leaders Zenit St. Petersburg, a team they lost to in the Round of 16 back in 2008, in the forerunner to the Europa League, the UEFA Cup.
"I remember those games. They were interesting encounters," said Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling ahead of the game. "But, that was another competition. We know that we have to win our home games and we know that we can take the next step against Zenit."
But, just like Dortmund, Leverkusen are still reeling after poor performances in the Bundesliga recently. Last weekend's game against Stuttgart, one which they led 3-0, ended up a 3-3 draw.
"We have to really put in some effort now, but that means over the entire 90 minutes," said the club's director of sports, Rudi Völler, making a not-too-hidden reference to Leverkusen's recent, sub-standard Bundesliga form.
al/jh (AFP, SID)
Head to www.dw.de/sports on Wednesday night for live Twitter coverage of the action in Istanbul and Leverkusen. Our live blog will begin at 18:30 UTC.