BERLIN, Dec. 16 -- Mixed feeling come with the draw of the last-16-round for the Champions League for German clubs played in February and March of 2020.
While Borussia Dortmund (Paris St Germain/coach Thomas Tuchel) and RB Leipzig (Tottenham Hotspur/coach Jose Mourinho) slip into underdog roles, it is Bayern Munich the favorite in an eye-level duel against Chelsea.
None of the German sides is expected to be among the favorites to win the 2019/2020 trophy. Nevertheless, it is Bayern aiming at the semifinals as a minimum goal.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
The name of Thomas Tuchel is causing special feelings among Dortmund fans and officials.
The 46-year-old got the sack as Borussia coach after only two years in summer 2017 despite having won the German Cup. Reports spoke about atmospheric disturbances between coach and team on one side, but about contrary opinions between the club leaders such as Hans-Joachim Watzke and the headstrong coach.
A fatal bomb attack in April 2017 on the team bus of the Blacks and Yellows ahead of the first leg in the Champions League against AS Monaco throws a shadow over Tuchel's era with the Blacks and Yellow's.
Tuchel was in favor of cancelling the game due to the shock his team suffered from. Watzke is said to have agreed to postpone the game for one day. Dortmund lost the game 3-2.
Dortmund will have to deliver a significant surprise proceeding to the next round as the side of head coach Lucien Favre is facing one of Europe's most potent attacking lines.
The Germans might have improved their performance in the recent league games due to a tactical change (3-5-2), but problems in the back-row remain.
Doubts remain if Favre can create an enchanting football style over a more extended period. The Swiss lately made up his mind, skipped his reluctant approach to address the demands of fans, team, and officials to play with more risk.
RB LEIPZIG
The East-Germans seem ready for a strong statement on the international stage. The next round is not out of reach. Looking at Tottenham's performance last season, when the Premier League side reached the final against Liverpool, RB might be considered the outsider but has developed.
Leipzig can hurt any team in Europe.
Julian Nagelsmann is full of confidence. The 32-year-old said RB is facing a "very experienced team" and a world-class coach such as Jose Mourinho.
"We need to deliver two outstanding games, but I am sure we can," Nagelsmann commented.
Sports director Markus Kroesche said his side "can beat Tottenham. It remains a challenge as they have a lot of experience, but we can make it."
BAYERN MUNICH
Some of Bayern's fans might remember the disappointing Champions League final in 2017 when the Bavarians lost on home soil to the Premier League side despite ruling the game.
The painful defeat in a penalty shoot-out is said to be one of the biggest disappointments in the club's history following the last-minute defeat against Manchester United in 1999.
Bayern will not only meet German international Antonio Ruediger and former Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic but Callum Hudson-Odoi. The ruling German champions targeted the talented winger, but Chelsea refused to accept Bayern's opulent offer. Hudson-Odoi signed a new contract in London.
"They have players that can hurt us," said Bayern striker Thomas Mueller. The 2017 world champion expressed confidence to survive the duel talking about his "good gut-feeling as we feel comfortable as a team."
To reach the next round is a must for Bayern's interim coach Hansi Flick in his attempt to coach the side longer than next summer.
Bayern's experience and stability should be enough to beat Chelsea, considering coach Frank Lampard's problems to restructure his squad.
悲伤解释:为啥你没有男朋友
3个小细节,带你加入世界环保大军
厨渣的下厨初体验
关于种族尊严:请还我们一个公道
不只是4.22,每一天都是地球日
美文赏析:冒险的女高音
美国国会山上的实习生们
为何你的生活总是碌碌却无为
两大音乐才子的创作碰撞:求同存异
美国女孩在中国:奇妙的砍价之旅
“希腊式生活”席卷美国校园
纸质信:难以舍弃的尺素之情
当愚蠢变成流行病的时候,我们该怎么办?
幽默的人为别人带来开心,自己真的也开心吗?
我的父亲让我觉得他是一个奇迹
圣诞老人真的存在在这个世界上吗?
莎士比亚的这15件事,你肯定不知道
各国作家们的宠物情缘盘点
“丰满”的现实压迫出骨感的模特?
这份母亲节礼物的价格:无价
为什么礼物越花心思反而越糟糕
外媒趣味盘点:你见过哪些最离谱的请假理由
歪果仁的挑战记,美国女孩的中餐体验
从一而终的“渔夫”or半路“上岗”的渔夫
那些让人极其懊恼的餐厅新做法
美文赏析:那个老师说了假话
离开中国的外国实习生,怀念中国的外国实习生
科技高速发展下的“新奴隶”们
大长腿很好,但是小短腿儿也会有春天
动物们的各种行为动作都只是为了玩耍?
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |