Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid: Preview, predictions and lineups

It’s all to play for in Germany on Tuesday night as Borussia Dortmund welcome Atletico Madrid to Signal Iduna Park for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Atleti hold a slender 2-1 advantage heading into the return fixture, but it initially looked as if Diego Simeone’s side would blow away BVB in the Spanish capital. The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead, but a resilient Dortmund fought back in the second half, halving the deficit, and they were perhaps unfortunate not to draw level in the closing stages.

The visitors’ indifferent away record this season will doubtlessly concern Simeone, with Atletico winning just a third of their La Liga fixtures on the road.

BVB have endured similar consistency woes this term, but they’ll fancy their chances of progressing into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2013 off the back of their second-half showing last weekend.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg.

Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid H2H Record (All Games)

Current Form (all competitions)

Borussia Dortmund

Atletico Madrid

Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Borussia Dortmund – 13/04/24

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Girona – 13/04/24

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund – 10/04/24

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund – 10/04/24

Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Stuttgart – 06/04/24

Villarreal 1-2 Atletico Madrid – 01/04/24

Bayern Munich 0-2 Borussia Dortmund – 30/03/24

Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona – 17/03/24

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt – 17/03/24

Atletico Madrid 2-1 (3-2P) Inter – 13/03/24

Country

TV channel/live stream

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 2, discovery+ App, discovery+

United States

Paramount+

Canada

DAZN

Sebastien HallerSebastien Haller

Sebastien Haller picked up an ankle injury at the weekend / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/GettyImages

Sebastien Haller, whose goal in Madrid handed Dortmund more than a glimmer of hope, is set to miss the return leg with an ankle injury.

Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, both of whom were bright last week, are also doubts. The former, though, is expected to be fit to start.

Ramy Bensebaini remains out of action for the hosts, while Julian Brandt should come into the side after making an impact off the bench in the first leg.

Dortmund predicted lineup vs Atletico (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug.

Samuel LinoSamuel Lino

Samuel Lino is suspended for Tuesday’s game / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

First leg goalscorer Samuel Lino is suspended for Tuesday’s clash in Dortmund. The Brazilian’s absence will be hard-felt by the visitors as there’s not an obvious wing-back replacement.

Nahuel Molina could switch flanks, or Simeone could opt for the more defensive Reinildo.

The visitors are also without Vitolo and Marcos Paulo. Memphis Depay remains a doubt with a muscle injury.

Atletico predicted lineup vs Dortmund (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Reinildo; Griezmann, Morata.

Signal Iduna Park has hardly been a fortress for Dortmund this season, but it’ll be rocking on Tuesday night. BVB have a good chance of progressing, with the reward for the victor being a fairly winnable semi-final tie.

Simeone would’ve preferred a healthier buffer heading into the second leg, and it’ll be interesting to see whether he reverts to vintage Atleti ideals on Tuesday. Their retreat last week got Dortmund back into the game.

It’s hard to see either side containing the other for the duration, and we should once again see goals at both ends. Atleti’s away record is a concern, but there’s just something about this Simeone-led outfit which suggests they’re going to enjoy a deep European run.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Atletico Madrid

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The 10 best players of Premier League Gameweek 33 – ranked

The business end of the season has brought about the usual thrills and spills from all corners of the Premier League.

Control of the title race has changed hands, the confusion of the relegation battle continued and the desperate fight for European places looks like a battle royal for the incompetent.

Here are your best players from Gameweek 33, ranked.

Jeremy DokuJeremy Doku

Doku shone for Man City / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages

It’s been an inconsistent debut season at Manchester City so far for Jeremy Doku, but on the right day he looks like one of the world’s best.

He tore apart Luton Town in the champions’ 5-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, reminding Pep Guardiola exactly why he needed such a fast and tricky winger in the first place.

Bruno FernandesBruno Fernandes

Fernandes came to Man Utd’s rescue / Charlie Crowhurst/GettyImages

Poor Bruno Fernandes has scarcely enjoyed the opportunity of playing for a Manchester United that isn’t completely useless since his 2020 move from Sporting CP.

The Red Devils’ captain was again on hand to pull them back from the brink over the weekend, coming up with a brace to twice bring United level in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Fabian SchärFabian Schär

An all-round performance from centre-back / Visionhaus/GettyImages

If you want to know how good Fabian Schar’s performance against Tottenham Hotspur was, Newcastle United fans were quick to hail him as the club’s best pound-for-pound signing on social media after rounding off the scoring in a 4-0 win.

The Magpies activated a £3m release clause in his Deportivo La Coruna contract in 2018 and will not have had a single regret about it.

Andreas PereiraAndreas Pereira

Pereira’s double saw Fulham to victory / Richard Pelham/GettyImages

A lot of talk heading into West Ham United vs Fulham was regarding the form and future of the Irons’ mercurial Lucas Paqueta, who has again been linked with a move to Man City.

But the show at the London Stadium was stolen by a Brazilian midfielder dressed in white, with Andreas Pereira coming up with a match-winning brace.

Dean HendersonDean Henderson

Deano Hendo kept a huge clean sheet / Visionhaus/GettyImages

While Jordan Pickford hasn’t done much to suggest he should be replaced as England’s number one (despite his best efforts to start such a conversation on Monday), there’s a real fight to secure the seat behind him on the plane to Euro 2024 this summer.

Dean Henderson, now starting for Crystal Palace in place of injured Three Lions rival Sam Johnstone, strengthened his case for re-selection with a stunning performance in their 1-0 win at Liverpool.

Nicolas JacksonNicolas Jackson

Just know that this image is exactly what Jackson intended and led to a goal / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

For anyone who wants to jump off the Darwin ‘Darwizzy’ Nunez hype-train, you are welcome aboard the Nicolas Jackson express.

His showing in Chelsea’s 6-0 drubbing of Everton had it all – a clever assist, a lovely goal, and a petty argument over who should be allowed to take a penalty before obviously relenting to Cole Palmer.

Genius.

Matheus Cunha, Neco WilliamsMatheus Cunha, Neco Williams

Back with a bang / Matthew Lewis/GettyImages

If Wolves’ best players weren’t so injury prone, they might stand a chance of, I don’t know, winning the treble maybe.

Matheus Cunha made his first start since returning from his most recent lay-off in some style, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest. His first goal was straight out of an EA Sports FC playbook in which the player only has one analog stick and one-star skill moves.

Youri TielemansYouri Tielemans

One who got away for Arsenal / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

When Leicester City were shopping out-of-contract Youri Tielemans to try and snag a transfer fee for him in the summer of 2022, Arsenal were one of the sides who sniffed around before ultimately deciding against a move.

He was one of the best players on the Emirates Stadium pitch when his Villa side won 2-0 there on Sunday. Not a single Gunners midfielder could hold a torch to him.

Alexander Isak, Micky van de VenAlexander Isak, Micky van de Ven

AI would not be able to replicate this image / George Wood/GettyImages

Prior to Tottenham’s defeat at Newcastle, Micky van de Ven was lauded as one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

He was totally deserving of the praise, barely putting a foot wrong in his 20 appearances before his St James’ Park shocker.

And that is total testament to the skill of Alexander Isak. Great players have the capacity to embarrass anyone. On this occasion, the Swede kept skinning Van de Ven again and again.

When Isak completely changed his momentum and sent the giant Dutchman crashing to the floor leading to the opening goal, the game changed with it. That’s a proper striker right there.

Cole PalmerCole Palmer

The man of the moment / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Four goals. A perfect hat-trick before the half-hour mark. Shutting Jackson and Noni Madueke up by scoring another penalty.

Ladies and gentlemen, Cole Palmer is your player of the week.

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Barcelona vs PSG: Preview, predictions and lineups

Barcelona take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain after coming from behind in the French capital.

Xavi’s liberated Catalans have one step in the semi-finals following last Wednesday’s impressive display in Paris, and they were victorious yet again at the weekend with Joao Felix’s acrobatic effort helping Barca to a 1-0 win over Cadiz.

The La Liga champions are now 13 games unbeaten since Xavi announced his decision to step down as manager at the end of the season.

Barca had the benefits of a prolonged rest heading into the first leg, and PSG enjoyed the weekend off ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Catalonia. Luis Enrique’s half-time switches inspired a quick recovery in the first leg, but Raphinha’s second strike of the night and Andreas Christensen’s header mean the Ligue 1 leaders have a deficit to overturn on foreign land.

Let’s just hope the second leg provides the thrills and spills of the opening encounter. Here’s everything you need to know about Tuesday’s game.

Barcelona vs PSG H2H record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Barcelona

PSG

Cadiz 0-1 Barcelona – 13/04/24

PSG 2-3 Barcelona – 10/03/24

PSG 2-3 Barcelona – 10/03/24

PSG 1-1 Clermont Foot – 06/04/24

Barcelona 1-0 Las Palmas – 30/03/24

PSG 1-0 Rennes – 03/04/24

Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona – 17/03/24

Marseille 0-2 PSG – 31/03/24

Barcelona 3-1 Napoli – 12/03/24

Montpellier 2-6 PSG – 17/03/24

Country

TV channel/live stream

United Kingdom

discovery+, TNT Sports 1, discovery+ App, TNT Sports Ultimate

United States

TUDN USA, Paramount+, TUDN App, TUDN.com, UniMás, Univision NOW, CBS

Canada

DAZN

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Barcelona: Quarter-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24Paris Saint-Germain v FC Barcelona: Quarter-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24

First-leg match-winner Andreas Christensen is suspended for Tuesday’s game / Christian Liewig – Corbis/GettyImages

Xavi shuffled his pack at the weekend and the Barca boss will return several players to his starting XI on Tuesday.

However, he will be without suspended pair Andreas Christensen and Sergi Roberto. Fortunately, Xavi now has Frenkie de Jong and Pedri available for PSG’s visit, with the pair likely partnering Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.

Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal should also return to the starting lineup.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs PSG (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; De Jong, Pedri, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.

Achraf HakimiAchraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi was suspended for the first leg / Franco Arland/GettyImages

Enrique will crucially be able to call upon Achraf Hakimi on Tuesday after he was suspended for the first leg. Hakimi will start at right-back with Marquinhos shuffling across.

Warren Zaire-Emery has to come into PSG’s midfield, and they’ll likely ditch Marco Asensio as a false nine. Kylian Mbappe will want to occupy zones closer to Barcelona’s goal, while Bradley Barcola offered a spark off the bench last week.

Sergio Rico, Presnel Kimpembe, and Layvin Kurzawa are likely to miss out, but Nordi Mukiele could return to the matchday squad.

PSG predicted lineup vs Barca (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Mendes; Vitinha, Fabian, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola.

Many will see PSG as a club bereft of the minerals to overturn a deficit away from home in this competition, but this tie is far from over. The two sides played out a cracking first leg, and an expansive PSG should facilitate similar drama on Tuesday.

Enrique must be aggressive with his team selection and let Mbappe, who was tamed last week, occupy his favourite zones. The French superstar is due a big performance, and he may well produce it in Catalonia. The return of Hakimi is also huge for PSG’s dynamics in possession.

However, the visitors will be susceptible to the transition given the absence of a natural holding midfielder, and a confident Barca, as they did in Paris, should have plenty of joy on the counter. There should be goals at both ends, with PSG threatening a second leg comeback, but the hosts are likely to do enough to progress into the last four.

Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 PSG

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Mauricio Pochettino challenges Chelsea players to ‘have the balls’ to compete

Mauricio Pochettino has challenged his Chelsea players to “have the balls” to win recover possession back quickly and show more overall resilience.

The Blues have endured a hugely inconsistent first season under the Argentine and again are languishing just above mid-table in the Premier League.

After a thrilling comeback win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino was frustrated by his side’s inability to compete with Sheffield United’s tenacity in the tackle three days later – a game Chelsea could only muster a 2-2 draw in after Oli McBurnie’s injury-time equaliser.

Chelsea front up against Everton in the Premier League’s final game of the weekend, and Pochettino has firmly outlined what his players need to improve if they are to reach the level they want to play at week in, week out.

“We have enough talent to win games. But the most difficult thing in Premier League is another phase, when you don’t have the ball,” he told reporters.

Conor Gallagher, Enzo FernandezConor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea had to settle for a draw against the Blades / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages

“When you don’t have the ball, you need to have the balls. Understand? To have the balls to recover the ball.

“It’s a process to become very competitive, very tough. And I think the way that we drew the game against Sheffield, we need to all feel very disappointed. Because did you see the goal? We lose one challenge, we lose the second, the third and the fourth and the fifth. And then we concede in the same action. And that was the last minute of the game.

“It’s about having the capacity to go there and to say, ‘We are a winner, I’m going to win this challenge, I’m going to be strong, I’m going to defend, I’m going to not concede a goal’. That is not more than capacity, you know, mentality, and all being together.”

Victory for Chelsea would close the gap to eighth-place West Ham United to just a point, with Pochettino’s side also having two games in hand. They currently trail Newcastle United, who are sixth, and Manchester United, who are seventh, by six points, meaning Europa League qualification remains a real possibility if a consistent run of results can be strung together.

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Bayern Munich ‘contact’ Zinedine Zidane over manager job

Bayern Munich have reached out to Zinedine Zidane to gauge his interest in taking charge of the team next season, according to reports in Spain.

Thomas Tuchel will leave his post this summer after overseeing a downturn in form which saw Bayer Leverkusen roar to the Bundesliga title, with Bayern officials searching for a replacement for a number of weeks.

Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso was the top target before he publicly confirmed his desire to stay with his current side, forcing Bayern to look elsewhere.

According to MARCA, contact has been made with Zidane, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid all the way back in 2021. The Frenchman is known to be keen to return to work and was rumoured to be waiting for the France national team job, only for Didier Deschamps to extend his deal with Les Bleus until 2026.

Whether Zidane would be interested in managing Bayern is unclear, but the legendary midfielder has previously confessed that he does not want to work in a country where he cannot fluently speak the language.

Zinedine ZidaneZinedine Zidane

Zidane has not worked since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 / JAVIER SORIANO/GettyImages

Jose Mourinho is named as a potential candidate for Bayern, as are Julian Nagelsmann and Hansi Flick, both of whom have already enjoyed spells in Bavaria.

BILD recently reported that Nagelsmann, who was sacked in favour of Tuchel in March 2023, is now the top target for the job.

Nagelsmann is currently in charge of the German national team but will see his contract expire after this summer’s European Championships. An extension has not been ruled out publicly.

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