Despite trailing outside the Bundesliga’s top four, Borussia Dortmund claimed the top spot in the challenging Champions League Group F, securing a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at a packed SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Karim Adeyemi (51’) scored for Dortmund, and Warren Zaïre-Emery (57’) equalized for PSG.
The outcome benefited both teams as Newcastle United’s loss to AC Milan in the parallel game led to the elimination of both Newcastle and Manchester United from European competition. This result is crucial for Dortmund as it means they avoid challenging opponents like Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid in the round of 16.
While potential opponents in the next round include tough teams like Inter Milan, Napoli, and Lazio, or seemingly more manageable ones like Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven, or Porto, Dortmund sees itself as a favorite in any of these matchups to progress to the quarterfinals.
However, Dortmund’s inconsistency between their Champions League and Bundesliga performances this season is noteworthy. Despite a 4-0 defeat in Der Klassiker against Bayern, they secured a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United days later to advance from the group stage. Similarly, a 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig over the weekend left them out of the Bundesliga title race.
Swiftly finding consistency will be crucial for Dortmund. They will conclude 2023 with an away game against Augsburg on Saturday and then face Mainz at home at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on Tuesday.
Currently in fifth place, four points behind RB Leipzig, who occupies the final Champions League spot, Dortmund faces a challenge to close the gap and secure a top-four position in the Bundesliga. While there’s a chance the Bundesliga could earn a fifth spot for the next season based on the UEFA coefficient standings, relying on this for Champions League qualification poses risks.
Surviving the challenging group and emerging as winners is a significant accomplishment for head coach Edin Terzic and his staff. However, stabilizing their performance in the Bundesliga and narrowing the gap to the top four is crucial for the long-term success of Germany’s second most popular football club.
