Dortmund is riding high coming into this match. They managed to pull off a massive home draw this weekend in club competition vs their rivals Bayern. Less than a week ago, Dortmund traveled to Spain and handled this Sevilla team 4-1. Dortmund will look to add three points to their UCL resume as the home team this week.
Sevilla is at a season tipping point. After last week's UCL loss to Dortmund, Sevilla fired manager Lopetegui. Jorge Sampaoli is the new manager in Sevilla, and he managed to get a home draw vs Athletic Bilbao over the weekend. Sevilla will look to build on that result heading into a hostile environment this week.
Dortmund have been impressive lately and I believe it is for two distinct reasons. After an ugly road loss to Koln on the first of October, Dortmund began playing their amazingly talented 17 year old striker Youssoufa Moukoko over 34 year old Anthony Modeste. I don’t know what took so long for Dortmund to make the switch, but the young lad Moukoko brings an energy, pace, and creativity to the offense that was desperately lacking. Another significant change is that Dortmund has made Jude Bellingham captain. Bellingham has proven that he is a confident and capable leader even at 19 years old. Dortmund has allowed him to play more forward recently and it is paying huge dividends. He was able to notch a goal and an assist last week vs Sevilla. Bellingham has the presence of mind to press, distribute, and finish in front of the net combined with the speed to transition back into midfield responsibilities. I hope Dortmund doesn't change a thing, because this setup is working.
Sevilla’s manager change could be the spark this club needed to turn things around. Sampaoli finally put Isco and Papu Gomez on the field at the same time and ended up getting a draw. For whatever reason, Lopetegui refused to do this and it may have cost him his job. Sevilla was always going to have a tough start to the season, because they lost two starting CB’s in the transfer window. I think Sevilla can right the ship and be competitive in La Liga this season. However, asking for a big game from this team on the road at Dortmund is a tall order. A road draw would be a massive result for the club.
Things to look for pre match. Science I have to write and publish these articles early and without lineups, here are the keys to the game in my opinion. Dortmund has to start Moukoko for me to back them. It’s really that simple. If he is on the bench, I will likely fade this match. Jude Bellingham playing forward and creating. He is the engine driving Dortmund. If both those things happen, back Dortmund at home.