Borussia Dortmund vs Ajax

Borussia Dortmund will have vengeance on their mind when they meet Ajax in the UEFA Champions League at Signal Iduna Park.

The scars from a 4-0 thumping defeat in the reverse fixture are still fresh as Borussia Dortmund aim to balance the overall Champions League H2H record (W2, L3) by inflicting swift revenge on Ajax. Yet, ‘Die Borussen’ have regained some confidence since suffering that humiliating loss on Matchday 3, putting together three straight two-goal victories in domestic football. Since Ajax ran out 2-0 victors at this venue in March 1996, the German heavyweights have gone unbeaten in all three European home meetings with Dutch visitors (W1, D2). That record, coupled with Dortmund’s ten-match undefeated streak in the Champions League home games (W7, D3), gives the home fans plenty of reason to look forward to this clash. Given his side’s defensive frailties this term, Marco Rose will be glad to know that Dortmund returned seven clean sheets from the abovementioned ten-game run.

On the other hand, Ajax have taken firm control of proceedings in Group C since Matchday 1, winning all three Champions League matches so far by an aggregate score of 11-1. Encouraged by prevailing by a 2+ goal margin on all three occasions, the ‘Lancers’ will be aiming to improve their underwhelming Champions League record on German soil (W2, D4, L4). Though they’ve failed to win any of their last three Champions League visits to Germany, Ajax will draw confidence from losing just one of their previous ten road trips in the competition (W5, D4). Another impressive aspect of Ajax’s recent displays has been a water-tight backline that has preserved four clean sheets in their last five competitive away fixtures (W4, D1).