On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, UEFA Champions League fans are primed for the highly anticipated first leg of the Round of 16 clash between Borussia Dortmund and Lille. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. The match presents not only thrilling football but also intriguing narratives surrounding both teams as they vie for progress in Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
Borussia Dortmund have faced mixed fortunes domestically, currently positioned 10th in the Bundesliga, showing only sporadic signs of form this season. A turn of events saw the appointment of Niko Kovač, previously managing Bayern Munich, igniting hope among supporters as Dortmund surged past Sporting CP with an aggregate victory of 3-0 to secure their place among Europe’s elite once more. Going by their latest form, which includes impressive back-to-back victories with clean sheets, Dortmund are starting to find their rhythm, leading them to feel confident heading against Lille.
Meanwhile, Lille have had their challenges too as they sit 7th in Ligue 1, yet they have not faltered significantly on the continental stage. Winning notable matches, including triumphs against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Lille progressed through the group stage after finishing 5th, crafting their place with five wins out of eight matches. Under the management of Bruno Génésio, they aim to deliver more shocks as they face the formidable German side.
The last time these two teams clashed was over two decades ago, with their last encounter ending 0-0 on February 28, 2002, during the UEFA Cup. Both side’s previous records are relatively unfamiliar with each other, maintaining two draws, leaving fans guessing about the outcome of this match.
What makes this upcoming match even more compelling is the individual talents on show. For Dortmund, Serhou Guirassy has taken center stage, leading the competition with ten goals this Champions League season. Meanwhile, Lille will rely on Jonathan David, who, equipped with six goals across the group stages, is eager to shine and become the all-time top scorer for his club in major European competition, surpassing Yusuf Yazici.
Kickoff for the match is set for 20:00 GMT, and will be officiated by Jose Maria Sanchez, with VAR overseen by Juan Martinez Munuera. The viewer experience will be enriched across various platforms, as Fubo, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+ provide live coverage for fans tuning from the United States.
Form-wise, both teams have had tumultuous few weeks, with Dortmund winning against St. Pauli 2-0 most recently on March 1, and Lille suffering from a heavy 4-1 defeat against PSG on the same day. The growing form of Dortmund may pose additional pressure on Lille as they adjust their strategies to cope with the high-stakes atmosphere of European football.
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač stated, “Lille play a very versatile brand of football. This will demand much strength and concentration from us. They didn’t make it to the top 16 for nothing and have proven to be competitive.” This highlights the depth of respect Kovač has for Lille's capabilities, knowing they could very well capitalize on any errors made during the matchup.
Meanwhile, Lille's boss, Bruno Génésio, welcomes the challenge at Signal Iduna Park, saying, “We are among the best 16 teams in Europe, which means we get to experience moments like these.” His eagerness reflects the excitement and focus the team is ready to bring to Dortmund — representing not only Lille but French football more broadly.
From the predicted lineups, Borussia Dortmund is expected to take the field with Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; and Guirassy leading the attack. Conversely, Lille may start with Chevalier; Meunier, Diakité, Ribeiro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Bouaddi; Haraldsson, David, Bakker. Injuries and absences will slightly whittle down Lille's squad; they will have to do without Edon Zhegrova, Samuel Umtiti, and Tiago Santos.
Betting odds favor Dortmund as -165 favorites, with Lille positioned as +450 underdogs. A draw is priced at +310, with the over/under set at total goals 2.5 - indicating expectations for likely scoring based on both teams’ recent performances.
Ahead of kickoff, there’s significant belief from analysts and fans alike placing high hopes on both teams scoring, with various predictions circulating favoring Dortmund’s attacking prowess. The expectation offers both teams the incentive to play to their utmost capabilities and supply fans with electrifying football.
With all factors considered, this Champions League clash has all the makings of being both intriguing and fiercely contested. For fans of Borussia Dortmund and Lille, marking the date and tuning in will be unmissable. The stage is set, the teams are primed; the Champions League awaits their showdown.