With only two wins in four games, Borrusia Dortmund needs a win to stay alive in the competition, while Napoli, which is three points ahead of the Germans (9), can grab a seat for the knock-out stage with a win. A tie in the Dortmund-Napoli game would ensure Arsemal's qualification as long as the Gunners clutch victory over Olympique de Marseille.
Dortmund has lost three games in a row, once in the UCL against Arsenal (0-1), and twice in Bundesliga ( Wolfsburg, 1-2, and Bayern Munich, 0-3). Evidently, the Germans are not in form prior to what could be the most important game of the season for them. After losing to Bayern this weekend, they almost gave away all chances to win the German league, so they would want to stay in the Champions League.
However, Dortmund would have to play without many of their key players. Defensively, three starters are injured. Neven Subotic, Mats Hummels and Marcel Schmeltzer are absents. In addition, playmaker and defensive midfield leader Ilkay Gundogan will also miss the game.
Therefore, the task would not be easy for the Yellows. Dortmund also hopes that striker Robert Lewandowski breaks a five-match goal draught with club and country.
Napoli, on the other side, lost its previous two games in the Serie A and will have to do without playmaker Marek Hamsik who injured himself this weekend against Parma. He surely will be greatly missed. Striker Gonzalo Higuain will also have to find the net to help his teammates as the Argentine has been unable to score in the last few weeks.
This game is surely the game to watch as both teams will give everything they need, one to survive (Dortmund) and one to qualify. Notice that all three teams could be tie with nine points if Marseille beats Arsenal and Napoli loses to Dortmund. That would give us a great sixth and final match in December!
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