For the majority of their match in Greece, Borussia Dortmund were the better side than Olympiacos. Inexplicably, on multiple occasions, they missed clear-cut goal scoring opportunities while committing mental errors in defense. The final result was a 3-1 win for Olympiacos, putting Borussia Dortmund into a must-win situation. They have just one point from their first three matches and will have almost no chance of qualifying for the knockout stages without three points on Tuesday.
UEFA Champions League 2011 Matchday 4, Borussia Dortmund Vs. Olympiacos: Will Jurgen Klopp’s Luck Turn?
There’s no systematic or personnel problem with Der BVB. With both their individual games and injuries, they’ve just been plain unlucky. Sometimes it feels as if there’s a forcefield in front of the opposing goal, while balls unluckily bounce into theirs. Between the 18-yard areas, they are one of the best teams in the world. Inside each 18, they have struggled.
Lucas Barrios is nearing full fitness, which should help with scoring issues (and won’t hurt defending set pieces). Robert Lewandowski has not been the team’s problem in his absence, so Jurgen Klopp might consider playing the pair of them and dropping Shinji Kagawa, who was brilliant last season but has struggled with his finishing so far this year.
At home, in front of 80,000-plus fans and with Barrios back to fitness, there will be no more excuses for Dortmund. Anything less than a win is unacceptable, and it’s time for them to make their own luck.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Olympiacos kicks off at 3:45 pm ET, 7:45 pm GMT and 8:45 pm local. We’ll have live coverage of this match and all of the other Champions League action in our UEFA Champions League Tuesday, Matchday 4 StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, visit SB Nation Soccer.
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