Borussia Dortmund vs Inter

Dortmund [WLWDL], in 16th place, head into Matchday 8 on 11 points, one behind Inter, who sit 14th in the league-phase standings. The German side are 16th, leaving both clubs with work to do if they are to secure automatic qualification rather than settle for the playoff route. With margins tight and goal difference potentially decisive, this encounter carries significant weight for two of Europe’s most established names. The sides last crossed paths in the Champions League during the 2019/20 group stage. Inter claimed a 2–0 home victory on Matchday 3, with Lautaro Martínez opening the scoring, before Dortmund responded emphatically in Germany. Recent meetings with Italian opposition have been mixed for Dortmund. A dramatic 4–4 draw away to Juventus on Matchday 1 this season — a match BVB led 4–2 deep into stoppage time — means they have just one win in their last six games against Serie A sides (D3 L2). However, Dortmund have traditionally been strong at home against Italian visitors, remaining unbeaten in their last four such fixtures (W2 D2). Despite a 2–0 loss at Tottenham on Matchday 7, Dortmund have lost just one of their last 21 home Champions League matches (W13 D7), a formidable record that makes Signal Iduna Park a challenging venue for any opponent. They will be keen to avoid defeat here when they appear with a 3—4—2—1 formation. Serhou Guirassy is expected to lead the attack. Daniel Svensson is suspended for this fixture.

Well rested after a 6-2 win over Pisa on Friday, Inter Milan arrive in Germany aiming to halt an unusual downturn in form. The Nerazzurri [WWLLL] have lost three successive matches in a single Champions League campaign for the first time in their history, most recently falling 3–1 at home to league-phase leaders Arsenal. Notably, Inter have never lost four European matches in a row, adding further significance to this fixture. Their away record in Germany has been problematic, with five defeats in their last six away games against Bundesliga sides at this stage (W1), despite eliminating Bayern München in last season’s quarter-finals. There is added intrigue in the personnel, with former Dortmund players Manuel Akanji and Henrikh Mkhitaryan now part of the Inter squad. With qualification still within reach for both sides, this clash promises to be a high-stakes finale to the league phase. A 3—5—2 formation with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram in attack is expected against Dortmund.