Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid preview

Champions League | Preview

27/09/16

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid preview

On Tuesday evening, match day two of the UEFA Champions League will see group F opponents Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid square off at Signal Iduna Park. The fixture is one of the ties of the round and promises a wealth of attacking football from some of Europe's elite players.

Dortmund have already demonstrated a keen eye for goal by defeating Polish outfit Legia Warsaw 6-0 on match day one. They currently sit second in the German Bundesliga after four wins and one loss in five games and have scored sixteen goals domestically, the most in the league so far. They have notched an amazing twenty goals in their last four games in all competitions.

Real Madrid had a tougher time in their first European game. They came from behind to beat Sporting CP 2-1 with two last-gasp goals in the 89th and 90th minutes. In La Liga they are top of the table after four wins and two draws in the first six games. They are one point ahead of title-rivals Barcelona.

The two sides have a close record against each other in the past, having met on ten occasions previously. Real Madrid have won four times, Dortmund three times and the two have played out three draws. Dortmund are unbeaten at home to the Spaniards, scoring eight times in their last three home games against Los Blancos and conceding only two goals - both scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. The last time these two met was in the 2013/14 Champions League quarter final. The tie was contested over two legs with Madrid winning 3-2 on aggregate.

In team news, Dortmund will be without Sven Bender, Eric Durm, Marc Bartra, Neven Subotic and Marco Reus who are all carrying injuries. Andre Schurrle is also doubtful for the Germans. Madrid will be missing Casemiro who has a broken leg bone. Defenders Marcelo and Pepe are also unlikely to feature.

Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been off form so far this campaign and has faced some criticism. He will be looking to Tuesday night's big game to provide the stage to kick start his season. In contrast, Dortmund striker Pierre Aubameyang has been on fire with six goals in all competition.

The Gabonese striker is top scorer in the Bundesliga so far. His early season form has fuelled speculation that Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is interested in signing Aubameyang. The player himself sounds interested, apparently revealing a "promise" made to his dying grandfather that he would one day become a Galactico. For now though, the 27-year old is focused on the game ahead. Look for both Aubameyang and Ronaldo to test the opposition goalkeepers.

The two teams have scored thirty-one goals in eleven domestic games between them so far. This game should provide a lot of attacking football and goals. Madrid's attacking trident of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale is equal to any front-line in the world. Dortmund meanwhile have a wealth of attacking talent who are bang on form. With both sides capable of leaking goals at the other end, the scoreline could be high.