On February 11, 2025, Sporting Lisboa will clash with Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League playoffs at the Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, starting at 17:00 Brasília time. This match is considered the first leg of their playoff tie, with the aggregate winner moving on to the round of 16.
Sporting finished the group stage with 11 points from 8 matches and secured their playoff position thanks to their consistent performance, including three wins, two draws, and three losses. They are currently leading the Portuguese Primeira Liga, demonstrating strong domestic form. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, completed the group phase with 15 points, experiencing five victories and three losses; this performance placed them 10th, and they are fighting for form as they sit at 11th place in the Bundesliga.
For Sporting, the absence of key player Hjulmand due to suspension adds pressure on the team, worsening the situation with injuries to Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos, and João Simões. Nonetheless, Viktor Gyokeres remains fit and is expected to lead the attack. Dortmund faces its own challenges, as Felix Nmecha is ruled out due to injury and Carney Chukwuemeka is uncertain after sustaining a knock during training. Recently, Mike Tullberg was appointed as Dortmund’s head coach following disappointing results, adding tension as he seeks to stabilize the team.
Historically, these teams have faced each other four times, with Dortmund winning three encounters and Sporting claiming one victory. This meeting marks the fourth consecutive season they've met, indicating the competitive familiarity between the squads. Sporting boasts strong home form, undefeated in their last eight home matches, which could prove pivotal. Meanwhile, Dortmund suffered setbacks recently, including their last match against Stuttgart, which they lost 2-1, under Niko Kovac's debut as coach.
Fans can expect high-paced offensive football from both teams, with Sporting likely to take advantage of Dortmund's current instability. Predictions for the match lean toward Sporting capitalizing on their home ground, especially after besting Dortmund 3-1 previously. Analysts anticipate multiple goals, underscoring the offensive capabilities of both squads, and expect to see over 2.5 goals combined.
The match will be available for live viewing on Space (TV) and Max (streaming) across Brazil, drawing significant interest as teams vie for advancement. Both parties know the stakes, and with the potential for tension-filled moments and prominent playmaking, this duel is poised to be one to watch.
Considering the recent form and historical matchups, both teams enter the field with pressure to perform, making this playoff game not just pivotal for progress but also for reinstilling confidence within their squads.