Patience Pitted Against Pressing When Dortmund Host Spurs

Ahead of the last-16 stage of the Europa League, arguably the tie of the round comes as Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund face off against Premier League counterparts Tottenham Hotspur. The duo currently occupy second spot in their respective leagues coming into the first leg meeting in Germany on Thursday, making this a hotly anticipated affair. 

While the Champions League hogs the limelight from the Europa League, the continent’s second competition has still thrown up a tie worthy of being played in its elite tournament. Rivals Liverpool and Manchester United going at loggerheads for the first time in Europe will undeniably attract the interest of every football fan, but the chances are Dortmund’s welcome of Spurs before the return leg in London next week will be the more entertaining two-legged affair. 

The fixture pits together two of the more revered young coaches in Europe with differing game plans. Thomas Tuchel has moved away from Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy metal football” approach and adopted a more conservative style compared to the former Dortmund boss. Instead, Mauricio Pochettino’s plan is more reminiscent of the now Liverpool manager, with the Argentine demanding his players close down the opposition in order to win possession. 

During his short time at the club, Pochettino has won countless admirers, not only for the way his team is set up, but for his demeanour away from the pitch, with the 44-year-old preferring to quietly go about his business. In this regard, he and Tuchel are similar, with the pairing more content with keeping their cards close to their chest rather than provide a soundbite for a headline. 

When the duo go head-to-head, though, it promises to be an intriguing tactical affair. While Spurs’ drab 0-0 draw with Liverpool earlier in the season showed the outcome of two teams with similar philosophies, a relatively differing approach promises an entertaining 180 minutes of football. Dortmund have averaged more possession (64.7%) than any other team in the Europa League this season, 10% more than Spurs (54.7%), though this comes as little shock given the former's patient style of play. 

Spurs are instead able to maximise their high pressing approach more frequently given that they are less concerned with keeping the ball for long periods, a crucial asset away from home. Dortmund have proven they are suspect at the back when they do look to play the ball forward from defence when pressured, as highlighted in the 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich. While the inconsistent Roman Burki is unlikely to start, Roman Weidenfeller, who is expected to replace him, doesn’t exactly instil confidence at the back. 

Indeed, Spurs have won possession in the attacking third more times (49) than any other team in the Europa League this season. The north London side’s constant pressing in the final third forces errors in opposition defensive ranks and this is likely to be Spurs’ best route to goal at the Westfalenstadion given Dortmund have conceded just 14 competitive goals at home this season. Yet, when teams force the issue, Die Schwarzgelben can struggle. Only Bayer Leverkusen (16) have committed more errors that have resulted in an opposition shot on goal than Dortmund (14) in the Bundesliga this term, six of which have come in front of their own fans. 

Spurs, though, are without key man Dele Alli for the meeting with the German outfit. No player has won possession in the attacking third more times than Alli (10) in the Europa League this season and with Eric Dier playing no part in the encounter having not travelled to Germany with the squad, Spurs are without two of their star midfielders, which will undoubtedly hinder their chances of success. All in all, though, the tie could boil down to the performances of a crucal midfielder for each team. 

Ilkay Gundogan is expected to experience his third and fourth taste of English opposition having twice turned out against protracted future employers Manchester City. The Germany international boasts all the attributes to succeed in England, widely expected to sign for City, and Thursday will provide an ideal test for Gundogan when he comes up against one of the Premier League’s in-form players. 

Mousa Dembele is currently the fourth highest rated player (7.68) in England’s top tier this term, with the Belgian rejuvenated under Pochettino. Similarly, Gundogan is firing on all cylinders under Tuchel having fully recovered from a back problem that kept him sidelined for 19 months. Only Henrikh Mkhitaryan (7.85) has gained a better WhoScored rating than Gundogan (7.48) of all Dortmund players this term. With Dier and Alli out, it increases Dembele’s importance in the midfield third, not only in setting the tempo, but countering the threat provided by Gundogan, Mkhitaryan and Marco Reus. 

The Belgian, though, boasts the defensive capability to ensure the offensive influence of the aforementioned trio is limited. An average of 3.9 tackles per league game is the fourth highest return in the Premier League this season, accentuating his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘defensive contribution’. Stemming the flow of attacks is essential if Spurs are to keep Dortmund at bay and importantly, denying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from adding to his four goals from six Europa League appearances this season. 

The Gabon international has 22 goals from 24 league appearances this term, all of which have been deemed clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. More often than not, if Aubameyang is presented with these chances, he is going to score. The absence of Danny Rose at left-back leaves Spurs somewhat short of pace in defence and it’s down Dortmund’s right where Aubameyang could hurt the Premier League outfit. 

While Ben Davies may not be as quick as Rose, his positional awareness is of a higher standard than his English teammate. Given Kevin Wimmer’s somewhat rash decision making at times, Davies needs to exhibit this side of his game throughout the fixture in order to counter Aubameyang’s goalscoring threat. If both Wimmer and Davies commit too high up the pitch or are caught too far apart at the back, Aubameyang’s searing pace could end up costing Spurs. 

That isn’t to say the visiting side aren’t without attacking threats of their own. Not only are they capable of putting ample pressure on the Dortmund defence, but the offensive personnel available to Pochettino can get the better of their German opponents. Heung-min Son has scored more goals against Dortmund (5) than he has any other side, with the South Korean up against familiar opposition, while only Aduriz (7) has netted more Europa League goals than Erik Lamela (6) this season, with the pair expected to start on Thursday. 

Harry Kane’s goal against Arsenal was his first from open play in six competitive outings, with the England international keen on extending that run. Given Dortmund have developed a statistically calculated WhoScored weakness of ‘avoiding individual errors’ if Spurs abide to Pochettino’s demands as they have done all season, the visiting side stand a much stronger chance of netting a vital away goal.  

Thursday’s meeting in Dortmund provides football fans with the chance to witness two exciting teams with contrasting styles of play. The Bundesliga giants may not defend from the front as rigourously as they once did and with Tuchel at the helm; patience is the order of the day. Up against Pochettino’s high press, it promises to be an enthralling affair at the Westfalenstadion.

Who do you think will emerge victorious when Dortmund face off against Spurs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below