PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund will be looking to set the tone for their first Champions League quarter-final qualification since 2020/21 when they meet PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

PSV claimed a runner-up finish in Group B behind Arsenal to set up their first Champions League knockout tie since 2015/16 and only their second in the last 17 campaigns. It’s impossible to put it past runaway Eredivisie leaders to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2006/07 after winning three of their last four matches (D1) to consolidate their place at the top of the league table. Peter Bosz’s men will be out to secure an all-important first-leg lead inspired by an outrageous 11-game home form in European action (W7, D3, L1). Bosz has an added motive to help PSV defy the club’s disappointing all-time record against German teams (W10, D7, L20) as Dortmund relieved him of his managerial duties at Signal Iduna Park in December 2017.

In the meantime, Borussia Dortmund embark on their second successive Champions League knockout stage campaign amidst a high-flying start to the new calendar year, having won four of their six matches in 2024 (D2). But being pegged back late in a 1-1 draw at Wolfsburg last weekend could be a substantial morale blow to Edin Terzic’s side ahead of a traditionally unpleasant encounter against a Dutch club. Indeed, Dortmund’s negative European record against Eredivisie adversaries (W3, D3, L5) paints a bleak picture, though they can draw confidence from avoiding defeat in both previous clashes against PSV (W1, D1). Dortmund proved their continental credentials during the group stages, topping the so-called ‘group of death’ ahead of AC Milan, Newcastle United, and Paris Saint-Germain.